THE parents of Violet-Grace Youens say they welcome plans that will see motorists who kill people in the most serious cases of dangerous driving face life sentences.

The decision comes after evidence was put forward by victim’s families and MPs, including St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer.

Causing death by dangerous driving, or death by careless driving while drunk or on drugs, will carry the top-level punishment, the Ministry of Justice said.

Jail terms in cases involving mobile phones, speeding or street racing will now be the equivalent of manslaughter.

Glenn and Becky Youens, the parents of four-year-old Violet who was killed by a car that was travelling at 80mph on Prescot Road, St Helens, said: “We welcome the change as it stops other families feeling the insult and being let down by the Ministry of Justice like we did.

“Hopefully now the judges will use this power and actually give out life sentences and some families will get justice.

“When people get in their cars hopefully they will now think twice about how they drive or if they should be driving.

"For us there still can be no justice but knowing that Violet has helped make this decision is just one more life changing thing she has done to help change for the world.

“Thank you to Marie Rimmer for your support and brave words, Violet really is a real life superhero. We all love and miss her very much.

“We hope the next thing MoJ do is change how the sentences are automatically halved.”

Aidan McAteer, 24, was sentenced to nine years and four months in May after hitting the four-year-old and her nan Angela French in a stolen vehicle travelling more than 80mph on Prescot Road – causing the four-year-old’s death.

Due to parole, he is likely to serve a sentence that is less than how long Violet lived, which has sparked anger among Star readers.

Marie Rimmer MP mentioned Violet’s tragic death in a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, October 17, which discussed the law change.

She said: “I’m sure many will know of the sad case of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens who was killed this year and her grandmother left seriously injured. (They were) returning from the nursery when a stolen car crashed into them at 80 mph in a 30mile zone in St Helens.

“Two young men in the car, one driving, one not.

“One of them ran past dying Violet-Grace, another one posted videos from his prison cell celebrating his birthday in prison and it depicts drug taking and misbehaviour.

“One will understand how those parents are deeply distressed and have no faith in our justice system, a boy whose celebrating his birthday who posted the video received a 10-day extension to his sentence.

“I’ve read with interest your proposals and welcome them but please take consideration of those who may not have been on drug and drink at that time.”

She added: “The families of victims have lobbied successive governments to tighten up sentencing and I’m glad that finally the law is catching up with the crime.

“It is just terribly sad that it is too late for Violet-Grace Youens and her family.

“It’s also important that government stops cutting back the number of prison guards to make sure that prison is a just punishment and not a play-pen broadcast over social media apps.”

The chamber referred to the crime as an "horrendous case" and added that a great deal needs to be done in regard to prisons policy.

Commenting on the news, Jason Wakeford, director of campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said: "The announcement is a major victory for the families of victims and charities, including Brake, who have tirelessly campaigned for punishments which better fit road crimes that kill and seriously injure people.

"We applaud the government for at last recognising that the statute books have been weighed against thousands of families who have had their lives torn apart through the actions of drivers who have flagrantly broken the law.

"In addition to tougher penalties, government must also make road policing a national priority, reversing savage cuts to front line resources so that laws are properly enforced in the first place.

"Figures released only last month reveal that almost 1,800 people were killed on British roads last year - a four per cent rise since 2015.

"There is an urgent need for a road collision investigation branch, similar to those already in existence for air, rail and sea, so that lessons can be learned to prevent future deaths and serious injuries on the roads."