PARENTS campaigning for stricter safety laws for lorry drivers following their son’s death could see their efforts discussed in Parliament.

Darlington MP Alan Milburn is planning to raise a debate before the summer recess for compulsory seatbelts to be fitted in all lorries.

Mr Milburn has been fighting on behalf of the family of Peter Williams for more than a year to have seatbelts fitted in all lorries.

Mr Williams, 23, of Smithfield Road, Darlington, died in July 2007 when the Calor gas tanker he was driving plunged 50ft off a bridge onto a railway line in Wolsingham, County Durham.

After the accident, his parents learnt that his cab was not fitted with seatbelts. By law, belts are not compulsory in vehicles registered before 2001 and weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.

At Mr Williams’ inquest in March 2008, coroner Andrew Tweddle called for seatbelts to be fitted to all vehicles.

His family started a petition, which contains more than 7,000 signatures, and asked Mr Milburn to head their campaign.

They have spoken with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Freight Transport Association (FTA), which have both advised their members to install seatbelts, Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick and the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr Milburn hopes to raise a debate in the Commons to make it compulsory for seatbelts fitted in all lorries.

He said: “It is welcome that road hauliers are saying drivers should wear seatbelts.

“Sadly, that was not an option for Peter. His lorry, like thousands of others, did not have a seatbelt fitted.

“There are more accidents waiting to happen. With so many lorries on the road having anchorage points in place, there is no excuse for hauliers not to fit them with seatbelts.

“I want to have a debate in the House of Commons to back the Williams family’s campaign efforts to save lives.”

Peter’s father, Mark, said: “We spoke to Mr Milburn’s office a month ago and we were upbeat with the RHA and FTA. It was just the wording we wanted sorted.

“This was always the aim to save as many lorry drivers in the future.

“We learnt Peter wasn’t wearing a seatbelt afterwards and it makes his death even worse.”