THE family of Melksham crash victim Adam Lumley has welcomed tough new laws to punish dangerous drivers.

Home Office ministers unveiled plans to increase punishments for dangerous drivers, with motorists who kill facing prison sentences of up to 14 years.

Careless drivers and other speeding and document offences could be punishable by tougher community sentences as part of the changes.

Gillian and Dennis Lumley, of Kingfisher Drive, mourned the second anniversary of their son's death last month.

Army major Giles Stibbe was fined £750 for dangerous driving by a judge last year. His actions on the A350 at West Ashton led to a horrific triple-death crash in July 2000.

Adam Lumley, 21, was riding in his friend Craig Dicker's Toyota MR2 when it swerved to avoid Stibbe's Mercedes, flipped over and burst into flames. Both Melksham men died.

Compton Bassett schoolgirl Tamara-Jayne Shepp-ard, five, was travelling with her parents and younger brother Ben when her life was ended in the same crash.

Mrs Lumley said the pain of the accident is still raw, but welcomed news of the changes. She said: "This is definitely a good sign. Crime on the roads is just as important as other crimes.

"I think 99.9 per cent of accidents which happen on the road is someone's fault.

"A lot of bereaved families have been campaigning for tougher laws. I would like to think the government has listened to us.

"It is an extremely painful memory of what happened to Adam. He did not get the justice he deserved.

"We went to the cemetery but I know a lot of people went to the road on the anniversary. It is not how we want to remember our son.

"I just hope these laws are adhered to and the court and police do their bit to enforce them."

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth said the government is sending out a clear warning to drivers who break the law.

He said: "Dangerous driving kills and those found guilty can expect to be severely punished.

"We need to ensure that the deterrent to dangerous driving is adequate if we are to cut death and injuries that are caused. The new penalties are meant to do that."

The latest proposals are part of a government response to a consultation on road traffic penalties.