Killed : Ross Simons , 34 , and his wife Clare , 30 , ( pictured ) died in January 2013 when their tandem bicycle was struck by driver Nicholas Lovell . A move to introduce life sentences for killer drivers has been welcomed by families of victims . The new measure is one of several changes being drawn up by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling in a bid to toughen up the criminal justice system . The maximum sentence for motorists is currently 14 years and the plan to increase this limit is being welcomed by relatives of a couple run down in Bristol by a speeding driver who was already banned from the roads . Ross Simons , 34 , and his wife Clare , 30 , died in January 2013 when their tandem bicycle was struck by Nicholas Lovell , who had 69 driving convictions and was fleeing police at the time . Heroin addict Lovell , 38 , left the couple dying by the side of the road and while awaiting sentencing bragged to other inmates that he would get away 'with four years ' . He was eventually sentenced to ten and a half years for each death but was ordered to serve the punishments concurrently , meaning he would effectively only serve one sentence for both deaths . Since his trial , the Simons 's families have been campaigning for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers . Speaking to The Express , Mr Simons 's sister Kelly Woodruff , 33 , said : 'Finally as a family we will be able to rest and be a bit more at peace when they make this change to the law . 'The purpose of our campaign has always been to try to ensure no other family has to go through what we have suffered . ' I hope this will not only help save lives by acting as a deterrent but when the worst does happen it will at least give families a sense that justice has been done , something we have never felt . ' Call for tougher laws : Heroin addict Lovell , 38 , left the couple dying by the side of the road and while awaiting sentencing bragged to other inmates that he would get away 'with four years ' The Simons , described by friends as lovely and caring , were said to be trying for a baby and had 'everything to live for ' . In the run up to the collision a police officer in a patrol car recognised Lovell behind the wheel and knew he was banned . Lovell failed to stop when the officer switched on his blue light , disappearing from view , before ploughing into the Simons as they rode their tandem bike . Last week Justice Secretary Chris Grayling visited the site where the couple were killed , along with the MP for Kingswood Bristol , Chris Skidmore , who has long backed the campaign . Reviewing law : Justice Secretary Chris Grayling wants to toughen up the criminal justice system . Speaking to the Bristol Post , Mr Grayling said : ' I do n't like the idea of people like this coming out half way through the sentence . 'It is shocking to walk here in a normal suburban street and see what can happen . I can only imagine the trauma and turmoil the family must have been through . ' Mr Skidmore added : 'We have fought the campaign to get laws changed , which could already prevent future deaths but we want to go further . ' The plan to increase the maximum penalty from 14 years is one of several new measures being considered by Mr Grayling to toughen up the criminal justice system . Drivers who flee the scene of an accident without stopping and motorists using their phones at the wheel will also be targeted with harsher punishments . Mr Grayling claims both he and the Prime Minister have agreed to review the upper sentencing limit for causing death by dangerous driving . The Justice Secretary says those caught using mobile phones behind the wheel have 'no excuse ' with the hands-free sets available to drivers today . Mr Grayling is also looking to introduce new offences to deal with jihadists attempting to return to the UK and says there are also plans for stricter controls on internet trolls .
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling wants to toughen criminal justice system . Along with PM , he is considering increasing maximum sentence for drivers . Comes a week after he visited Bristol road where couple were killed in 2013 . Ross and Clare Simons were left to die by heroin addict Nicholas Lovell , who had 69 driving convictions .