A PETITION calling for life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill has reached the 100,000 mark on the second anniversary of the hit-and-run that claimed Violet-Grace Youens' life.
Today marks two years since Violet was struck by a speeding car on the afternoon of Friday, March 24 while walking home with her grandmother Angela French on Prescot Road, St Helens.
The four-year-old died in hospital the next day. Angela suffered life-changing injuries.
Last month, Violet's parents Glenn and Becky Youens, from Eccleston, started an online petition calling for tougher sentences for drivers who kill.
They want anyone convicted of causing death by dangerous driving to receive life imprisonment, with a minimum tariff of 15 years.
If more than one person is killed or injured in the incident, they want sentences for each offence to run consecutively rather than concurrently.
Becky and Glenn outside Liverpool Crown Court in 2017
Aidan McAteer, the driver of the car that struck Violet at 83mph, was sentenced in May 2017 to nine years and four months behind bars.
Due to his early guilty plea he will serve just half of that time in jail. This was less time than Violet was alive.
The St Helens community has once again rallied behind the family, and today, the second anniversary of the day she was hit, the number od people who had signed the petition calling for Violet’s Law surged beyond 100,000 on the parliament website.
Becky, Glenn, Violet and Oliver before tragedy struck
Once an e-petition passes 100,000 signatures the issue can be considered for debate in parliament.
Eighteen months ago the government promised to strengthen the laws for causing death by dangerous driving.
But progress on the changes has stalled, with the Ministry of Justice saying to push ahead when "parliamentary time allows it".
Earlier today Violet's heartbroken parents said: “The next few days for us as a family are going to very difficult with Violet’s anniversary but knowing Violet’s legacy of organ donation and potentially Violet’s Law helps us in knowing she will never be forgotten.
Flowers left in Violet's memory two years ago
“Thank you to everyone who has signed so far. We’ve nearly reached our target of 100,000 signatures in such a short time.
“The support we have had since the day it all started for us has been immeasurable.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for signing and sharing.
“I think this shows how much people want these changes to the law.”
They hope to reach the 100,000 target before the second anniversary of her death tomorrow.
To sign go to bit.ly/VioletGracesLaw
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