A SUPPORT group helping people affected by road deaths has backed an East Yorkshire woman's campaign to change the law to target sleep-deprived drivers.

Carole Whittingham, of SCARD (Support and Care After Road Death and Injury), said her group admired moves by Margitta Needham to fight for a specific penalty in law for tired drivers who kill while at the wheel.

Mrs Whittingham has added her voice to the growing calls among victims and support groups pressing for sleep-deprived drivers to face the consequences of their actions with set sentences - in the same way as motorists who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are dealt with.

Mrs Needham's husband, Barry, was killed in the Selby Rail Crash in an accident caused by sleep-deprived driver Gary Hart.

She has taken heart from New Jersey mother Carole McDonnell's success in introducing a new law in the American state.

Mrs McDonnell, whose daughter Maggie died at the hands of a tired driver, campaigned tirelessly, and offenders now risk a ten-year prison sentence and $100,000 fine.

Mrs Needham's campaign has already been backed by Mrs McDonnell, and shadow transport minister and East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight.

Sleep-deprived drivers are dealt with under careless and dangerous driving legislation, but campaigners believe specific sentences would let motorists clearly know the penalties if they kill while driving tired.

Mrs Whittingham said: "Of course we would back any such moves. We do need to have a law which says something very specific about what will happen if you drive while sleep deprived.

"It would make a confused situation very clear. You would be bang to rights if you are caught. It is going to be a difficult fight, but this is a step towards making drivers more responsible.

"Too often, people will make excuses about their driving and anything that be done to change this has got to be good. I am sure that Margitta will not be put off."

Updated: 08:44 Wednesday, February 11, 2004