A local MP is helping spearhead a new campaign to target danger drivers.

Colne Valley’s Jason McCartney is co-sponsor of a proposed new Bill to get longer jail terms for reckless drivers.

He backed fellow Yorkshire MP Greg Mulholland in a Commons debate.

Ironically, the debate came on the day Holmfirth driver Michael Gledhill was jailed for dangerous driving which caused the death of veteran cyclist John Radford.

Mr Radford died 15 months after a road rage incident in which he was knocked off his bike in New Mill.

Watch video of a tribute to John Radford below

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The bill seeks to bring in tougher penalties for those who drive dangerously and risk lives of innocent road users and pedestrians.

It was presented in the House of Commons by Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, with Mr McCartney as co-sponsor. They were joined by 29 further MPs, from all parties, who also backed the Bill.

READ MORE: Michael Gledhill appears in court accused of causing death of Meltham cyclist by dangerous driving

READ MORE: Witness who saw incident which led to cyclist's brain damage tells court she saw car driver from Holmfirth 'like steer towards him'

The Bill has called for increasing the length of sentences, to redefine criminal driving, amend bail conditions, and to enhance investigation standards by both the police and in courts. It also calls for improving the treatment of victims and their families.

According to the most recent government figures, for the year 2014-15, 389 people were killed due to dangerous driving. Campaigners have long argued that sentences are too light and do not reflect the severity of offences.

Mr McCartney said: “Victims of criminal driving and their families must always have confidence that our legal system will deliver justice, but time and again they feel let down.

“I was pleased to co-sponsor the Criminal Driving Bill, which calls for tougher sentences, improving investigations and supporting victims better. The government’s review into driving offences is expected to report later this year, and this is a matter I will be watching closely so we can finally begin to deliver the proper justice that campaigners have long called for.”

Alice Bailey, Campaigns and Communications Officer at Huddersfield road safety charity Brake, said: “We have long believed that our legal system gives them a raw deal and that’s why it is vital Parliament brings forward some much needed changes. The Criminal Driving Bill contains many of these changes and we hope to continue working with Mr McCartney on this hugely important issue.”

Mr Mulholland said the difference in penalties is huge with five years maximum for death by careless driving compared to up to 14 years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Mulholland said careless is an “inappropriate and actually offensive term” to use for criminally bad driving, and he added that careless driving had “institutionalised dishonesty into our justice system and that needs to be rectified”.