THE families of victims of driving accidents are one step closer to seeing tougher penalties introduced for the motorists responsible, thanks to a campaign by South Dorset MP Jim Knight.

Mr Knight proposed two new offences - causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers - in a Private Member's Bill in the last parliament.

His actions followed the tragic death of Wool schoolboy Anthony Waklein, 15, who was killed by a driver who had nine previous convictions.

James Boffey, then 18, was charged with careless driving, banned from driving for just two years and fined £200 following the crash in October 2002.

Boffey, of Liverpool, admitted to Wareham magistrates that he was driving without due care and attention and with no insurance or a driving licence and had only just bought the car.

The court heard he had overtaken two other vehicles at speed immediately before the collision in which Anthony, who had been riding his mountain bike, died instantly.

Boffey already owed £1,400 in fines for driving offences.

His campaign led to a manifesto commitment to change the law and Lord Davies, who is taking the Road Safety Bill through the House of Lords, has now tabled, on behalf of the government, the two new offences.

Mr Knight said: "I am delighted for the local families I have been representing who have shown great strength and courage throughout this campaign.

"The families of Anthony Wakelin, Tom Dowdney and Claire Clements wanted justice for the future and I hope this news gives them the encouragement that the government will fulfill its promise."

He said there had been immense support for the law to be changed.

Mr Knight added: "These new offences will go a long way to making drivers like James Boffey, who knocked down Anthony Wakelin, think twice about getting into a car."

First published: November 2, 2005