Sisters call for change to law after fatal crash

The family of a moped rider who died in a collision are calling for driving licences to be revoked from anyone when they are arrested on suspicion of serious motoring offences.

Bobby Smith, 29, from Markyate, Hertfordshire, died on the A5183 on the outskirts of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, at about 05:40 GMT on 3 March.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and has since been released on police bail, pending further investigations.

Mr Smith's five sisters have started a petition for a law change and told the BBC: "Something needs to change."

The family want police to have the power to remove the driving licence of anyone under investigation until any criminal proceedings have concluded.

The sisters have been warned by police it could be two years before any case reaches court.

They said their petition had been started in Mr Smith's honour.

Eldest sister Kylie Fury, 35, said: "Knowing that Bobby's life has stopped but that person's life is continuing, however long it takes to come to court , they are still able to drive a car.

"We want driving licences to be suspended or revoked when someone is seriously injured or killed in a motor accident, or if you fail one or all of the toxicology roadside tests and then you go to the police station and you fail them as well."

His sister Leanne Westlake, 33, said the family was grateful for the support their petition had received.

"We got his picture on our vans. People come up and talk to us about Bobby, and tell us their stories. We're not the first family to go through this and we won't be the last," she said.

"Something needs to change."

Ms Westlake described her younger brother as "the funniest person you've ever met".

"He would be the one that would pick you up on your bad days. Whenever we would have an argument he would always be the peacekeeper. He wanted us to be happy," she said.

Younger sister Carolanne Smith, 20, had a close bond with her brother.

"We used to hang out together all the time. He was the light. He made everyone laugh. It's not the same at home without him," she said.

Mr Smith had just been promoted to team leader at courier firm 4PX in Dunstable and loved his job, regularly working six shifts a week.

"He was supposed to be on leave that week," said Carolanne. "But he got a call from his manager on Sunday, and, being Bobby, he agreed to go into work that morning.

"We all told him not to go."

Mr Smith was working towards passing his driving test and had a theory test booked for two days after his death, his family revealed.

Sister Kylie Fury, 35, added: "He had so much to do. He got his passport at the start of this year because he wanted to go abroad for the first time.

"His life was work, his dogs and family in that order", the family has said.

The BBC has approached the Department for Transport for comment.

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