A woman whose brother was killed by a drink-driver has launched a petition to change the sentencing laws.

Vivienne Sumner is backing the Argus Justice for Jeff campaign aimed at persuading Home Secretary Jack Straw to give judges tougher sentencing powers for the worst cases of causing death on the roads.

But she also wants an end to the system which means a driver who has caused carnage on the roads serves part or all of a driving ban while they are still in prison.

Mrs Sumner wants the mandatory disqualification to start when someone convicted of offences such as causing death by dangerous driving walks free. She has already persuaded many shops and garages to take copies of the petition forms which she plans to send to Tony Blair.

Mrs Sumner, 42, of Orchard Way, Pulborough, was at Chichester Crown Court earlier this month when Neil Zanardelli, 23, was jailed for five years after admitting causing death by driving without due care and attention while under the influence of drink.

Zanardelli, of Dean Way, Storrington, was one-and- a-half times over the limit when he was involved in the crash. It happened just two months after he had completed a one-year driving ban, also for a drink-driving offence.

The court heard how Mrs Sumner's brother Carl Reynolds, 31, of The Grattons, Slinfold, died instantly when his car was hit head-on by Zanardelli's Vauxhall Corsa which was on the wrong side of the road.

Zanardelli was also banned from driving for seven years, starting the minute he was sentenced and led to the cells.

Mrs Sumner said: "I wanted to do something constructive after the death of my brother. I have started the petition because I believe the driving ban should start when a person actually leaves prison. The present system is stupid because people cannot drive while they are serving their sentence and many come out and can reapply for their licences straight away."

Meanwhile, she is also backing the Argus campaign for judges to be given further powers to sentence offenders where necessary. Justice for Jeff was launched after hit-and-run van driver John Heaton was jailed for seven years for causing the death of Sussex traffic officer PC Jeff Tooley.

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