DANGEROUS drivers who cause serious injury are to receive longer prison sentences — marking victory for The Bolton News’ Drive For Justice campaign, which has helped force the proposed change in the law.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke was today announcing the plans for a new criminal offence — causing serious injury by dangerous driving — to be added to the Government’s Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which could become law next year.

It will mean courts will be able to jail dangerous drivers who seriously injure their victims for up to five years.

Under existing laws, they can only be jailed for a maximum of two years.

The Bolton News launched the Drive For Justice campaign after Bolton Crown Court Judge Steven Everett criticised the law which allowed him to jail dangerous driver Christopher Marr for only 26 months. Marr left 15-year-old Devon Foster with horrific injuries after he ploughed into her and a group of friends in August, 2010.

Last night, Devon said: “Yes, I’ve done it. I’m very happy the law is being changed. It’s just sad what I’ve been through for it to be changed.”

Justice Secretary Mr Clarke said it was Devon’s story and those of other victims which had prompted the new offence.

He said: “Dangerous driving can destroy lives and have a devastating effect on victims and their families and friends.

“We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups, and their experiences have directly informed these changes.

“Making our roads safer is a priority. Five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman confirmed campaigns such as Drive For Justice, which highlighted the plight of victims, helped force the change in policy.

Devon’s mum Sam Foster, aged 42, from Hall i’th’ Wood, said: “It is wonderful, it’s great news.

“It is a pity it has had to happen like this for so many families to go through what we’ve gone through for the Government to sit up and take notice.

“Christopher Marr is already out of prison, but Devon is still serving her life sentence.

“She’s got scars to look at every day, medication to take every day, hospital appointments each month. Devon’s life has been turned upside down and put on hold.

“People may think twice now before driving dangerously. Drive For Justice has had a big impact and we are very grateful to The Bolton News, which has backed us all the way.”

More than 3,000 readers, civic leaders and campaigners signed the Drive For Justice petition, which urged the Government to review sentencing powers for judges and the campaign was taken to Parliament by Bolton North East MP David Crausby.

Mr Crausby said: “I am sure The Bolton News has played a big part and I welcome the proposals.

“It has been a long time coming but I’m glad action is now being taken.

“We have kept the pressure on and it has made an enormous difference. Local and regional newspapers like The Bolton News are excellent at giving people a voice. They are absolutely essential in making sure the Government listens to the local voice.”

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling said: “This is great news. It is thanks to the campaigning of The Bolton News, road safety organisations and families of victims of dangerous driving that this change has been achieved.”

And road safety charities have backed the change.

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer, the road safety charity which also backed our campaign, said: “This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families.”

Andrew Howard, Head of road safety at the AA added: “These law changes should make sentences more proportionate to the devastation dangerous driving causes and should also deter people from driving badly.”