THE aunt of a bride-to-be killed by a partially-sighted driver believes she is closer to getting the law changed.

Methodist minister Brenda Gutberlet, of Canvey, met Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris to push for stricter rules on whether drivers are medically fit.

In 2006, the Rev Gutberlet’s niece, Natalie Wade, 26, of Rochford, was shopping for her wedding dress when a 78-yearold, partially-blind motorist drove through a red light and ploughed into her on a pedestrian crossing.

She died in hospital five days later, on Valentine’s Day.

On Tuesday, the churchwoman who represents Thurrock parishes, put forward 17 improvements to the Road Traffic Act 1988, including abolition of the DVLA’s “honesty declaration”, which allows drivers over 70 to selfcertify their fitness to drive.

She said: “We stood around Natalie’s grave and promised to do all in our power to ensure others don’t go through what we have to live with.

“We always knew we were in for the long haul. We knew nothing would change overnight, but we now feel there is a little light at the end of a very long dark tunnel.” Ms Harris said: “The Act has not been updated since 1988 and the current practical visual test for drivers of reading a number plate from 20m has not change since it was introduced in 1937.

“I hope the meeting with Mr McLoughlin has given him some food for thought on what changes could be made to the law.”