BEREAVED Bewdley parents have welcomed Government plans to jail drivers who cause death by careless driving for up to five years.

Sharon Carter, whose 16-year-old son, Jamie Holden died when a car hit him as he walked home after an evening out, described the proposals as "a move in the right direction."

Long-time campaigners for stiffer penalties, Bob and Kath Eaton, whose 28-year-old son, David, was killed six years ago, hope the amendments to the Road Safety Bill will create a deterrent for the first time.

Miss Carter and Jamie's father, Darren Holden, called for changes in the law only last month after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue a charge against the driver of causing death by dangerous driving which carries up to 14 years imprisonment.

Instead, the 24-year-old driver was fined £2,000 and disqualified from driving for two years after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving.

"It's too late to affect Jamie's case but it is a step in the right direction," said Miss Carter. "However, I think if you cause the death of someone the prison sentence should be more than five years.

She added: "I'm glad the Government is finally taking notice - it's about time something was done about this."

Miss Carter, of Lyttleton Road, is planning to join the charity, RoadPeace, which campaigns for the rights of those affected by road accidents.

Jamie was killed last year when he was walking along Habberley Road, Bewdley, after an end-of-school "prom" at the Ramada Hotel.

The amendments to the Bill, announced this week, would also create a new offence of causing death when driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured, carrying a sentence of up to two years.

A Home Office spokesman said: A driver on the road illegally would be liable if, but for his or her presence on the road, the accident and consequent death wouldn't have occurred, even if his or her driving is not at fault."

Both amendments were welcomed by RoadPeace campaigners, Mr and Mrs Eaton. Their prison officer son was killed six years ago when he was thrown from his motorcycle in an accident with a car which was being driven by a man who had never passed his test and did not have insurance or a test certificate.

The 23-year-old driver, who also admitted having a defective tyre, escaped with 12 months probation and a two-year driving ban after admitting careless driving.

The couple, of Yew Tree Lane, said that under the current careless driving law a death resulting from an accident was an "irrelevance."

"After five years of campaigning we are pleased the Government appears to be going for it.

"It's not a question of seeking punishment or revenge it's about trying to prevent further deaths occurring. Currently there is absolutely no deterrent," said Mr Eaton.