A CYCLIST and road safety campaigner who suffered a devastating leg injury in a horror crash is supporting our campaign to re-write sentencing guidelines for danger drivers.

Former councillor Anna Semlyen is backing The Road To Justice after she was twice hit by drivers who she feels were punished leniently.

The first crash, 26 years ago, left Ms Semlyen in hospital for months after a driver failed to spot her cycling at the junction of Melrosegate and Fifth Avenue, in Tang Hall.

Her teeth were smashed and her broken leg was operated on three times, but the driver responsible was never taken to court.

“There was a massive sight line and he didn’t stop”, she said.

“He should have stopped to give me right of way.

“He was identified and I got an insurance pay out, but as far as I’m aware he got away scot-free.

“He certainly should have been sentenced with something because I was in hospital for weeks.

Ms Semlyen’s second crash took place 25 years after the first, but was no less traumatic for the experienced cyclist.

“A driver hit me side-on last year and he was sentenced to a driving course,” she revealed.

“There’s never any comeback to the victim, like an apology or somebody saying ‘I should have been taking more care, I’m sorry.”

Ms Semleyen was cycling in George Street when a driver collided with her.

York Press: Road to Justice embed

She believes the problem with sentencing lies with current laws, which do not recognise people involved in a road crash as a victim of crime.

She added: “They don’t get the same protection as a burglary victim.

“These are predictable and preventable events where the risk is too high.

“The driver was being distracted by something else, like speed, drugs or mobile phone use.”

We believe reckless drivers responsible for killing or inflicting life-changing injuries should not be punished lightly.

Judges are bound by strict guidelines which limit the sentences they can hand down.

We believe those guidelines need to change to give victims and families a sense of justice when they walk out of the courtroom to begin rebuilding their lives.

To support the campaign, go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/156369 and sign the petition to urge MPs to take action.

The petition already has more than 18,000 signatures and will be discussed in Parliament when it reaches 100,000.

Follow us online at www.facebook.com/theroadtojustice or on twitter at @PressCampaign