FAMILIES whose loved ones have been killed by dangerous drivers have welcomed proposals for tougher sentencing.

An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill tabled today will see an increase in the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from ten to 14 years.

Sentencing for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs also increase from ten to 14 years.

So-called joyriders will face stiffer penalties, with the maximum sentence for aggravated vehicle taking which results in death rising from five to 14 years.

It follows a public outcry after the death of six-year-old Rebecca Sawyer in a hit-and-run accident in Blyth, Northumberland, on New Year's Eve.

Ian Carr, 27, from Ashington, who had 89 previous convictions and had been banned from driving several times, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Yesterday, Rebecca's grandmother, Linda Sawyer, welcomed the crackdown on dangerous motorists, but said: "It's good they're toughening the law up, but it's still not enough."

The proposals came after Lord Brian Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former Home Office advisor, made a personal appeal to Home Secretary David Blunkett following the death of Rebecca.

He said: "The Home Secretary has acted pretty quickly and it's a good result."

Maria Cape, whose 16-year-old daughter, Helen, was killed by a drunk driver in 1982, said she wanted to see the legal limit for alcohol cut from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, to 50 mg - the equivalent of one pint or a glass of wine.

Mrs Cape, a former secretary of the Campaign Against Drink Driving, for which she was awarded an MBE two years ago, also wants to see random breath testing.

"The tougher sentences are good. It has been a long time coming and I think it will make people think twice about drink-driving," she said.