The man who caused Rebecca's death had 89 previous convictions

Six-year-old Rebecca Sawyer, was killed when her family's car was hit by a banned driver at the wheel of a stolen car in December 2002.

Ian Carr, 27, from Ashington, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Rebecca's 18-month-old sister Kirsty was seriously injured in the tragedy.

Rebecca's family are helping launch a campaign by road safety charity Brake, aimed at reducing the growing number of children killed or injured on roads in the north-east of England.

The city's roads are probably the most hazardous environment many of our children will ever face Newcastle City Council

A study by the charity showed almost 40% of youngsters questioned had come close to being hit by a speeding vehicle.

Pupils from Byker Primary school in Newcastle released 60 balloons, representing the number of children killed on Tyne and Wear roads last year.

Sandra Sawyer, Rebecca's aunt, said: "My family was robbed of Rebecca, a beautiful, happy, loving child.

"Kirsty was robbed of her sister and a normal future after being permanently disabled in the crash.

"I urge drivers to slow down in Road Safety Week and beyond and hope that no other family will have to experience what mine has gone through in the last eight months."

'Biggest killer'

Brake chief executive Mary Williams OBE said: "These survey findings are bad news for parents in Tyne and Wear who want safe and happy children.

"The UK has one of the worst records in western Europe of children killed on foot and the biggest killer of these children is speed."

Newcastle City Council has recently been awarded a share of a �2.2m Department for Transport fund to deliver child pedestrian training.

"Children in 14 Newcastle schools will benefit from the training, called 'Kerbcraft', including children at Byker Primary school.

A spokeswoman for Newcastle City Council said:: "The city's roads are probably the most hazardous environment many of our children will ever face and we are working hard to eliminate this danger as far as possible.

"It is vital that our children are taught to deal with the dangers of our roads and it is just as important that drivers accept their responsibilities and drive safely."