Why lessons must be learned from Poppy's tragic death

The three year old was on a pedestrian crossing with her mother when pensioner John Place ploughed into them in his car.

The traffic lights were on red at the time, and Place did not swerve or brake. In fact, he was only brought to a stop by a quick-thinking motorist who pulled in front of him and blocked his path.

Three weeks before the collision he had been told by medical professionals to stop driving because of his poor eyesight. He was not even wearing his glasses when the tragedy occurred.

Quite simply, the 72 year old should not have been behind the wheel of a car. Today we join calls for a new law requiring medical professionals to report people deemed unfit to drive to the DVLA.

All drivers have a responsibility to heed medical advice before taking control of a vehicle. And family members and friends have a duty of care to intervene if they believe a person is not fit to be on the road.

But legislation must be in place to ban potentially dangerous drivers.

Anyone who is considered unfit to drive should be immediately reported to the DVLA and have their licence withdrawn.

For many elderly people the realisation that their eyesight is no longer good enough to enable them to drive is a harsh one.

No experienced driver likes being told they are can no longer safely control a vehicle. There is always the temptation to ignore medical advice and continue to drive.

But as is the case here, failing to heed the warnings can result in catastrophe. There needs to be an urgent change in the law.

Rather than just pass on advice, doctors must be able to inform the relevant authorities if they believe a patient is not safe to drive.

Place has been jailed for four years after admitting causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

We are told he has expressed deep remorse over his actions.

But Poppy-Arabella’s family have been left with a life sentence without their little girl.

We should all take great care whenever we get behind the wheel of a car.

Those who are no longer judged to be medically competent to do so must not consider driving under any circumstances. It would be a fitting legacy for Poppy-Arabella if something positive could come out of this tragedy.