THE mother of a man killed in a road crash told MSPs that families deserve the legal right to information about the investigation.

Margaret Dekker, from Cumbernauld, appeared on behalf of Scotland's Campaign against Irresponsible Drivers to press its claim for it to be made a legislative requirement to make all details available.

Mrs Dekker's son, Steven, was killed when his car was in a collision with a van driven the wrong way on a motorway slip road in 1998 when he was 24.

She told MSPs on the Justice Committee that where it was wanted families should be given details.

Following the meeting, she said: "We want it written into legislation. Not every family will want it but if they wish so, they should have it."

She backed a report by Dundee University calling for an independent body, to work together with the police in fatal road accidents, who would be responsible for releasing information.

She added: "The police and the Crown Office seemed to recognise the need to be more active. It should be for families to decide if they want the information about the crash and not be dictated to.

"Other countries have a multi- disciplinary team working with the police and we think it would help towards the Scottish Govern- ment's road safety strategy to reduce road fatalities."

Superintendent Iain Murray, head of Road Policing, Police Scotland, Stephen McGowan, deputy director of Serious Casework, and David Green, head of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service also gave evidence to the committee

In written evidence to the committee, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service stated: "We recognise that nearest bereaved relatives are entitled to the information about fatal road traffic collisions except where exceptional circumstances exist (such as potential for criminal charges involving such a relative relating to the fatality), and is committed to ensuring that such information is provided in an appropriate and timely manner.

"Following publication of the report, the head and deputy head of the SFIU and an official from Policy Division met with repre-sentatives from SCID to reassure them about our policies and prac- tices and to provide a point of con- tact should difficulties be encoun- tered in obtaining information.

"COPFS have carefully considered the terms of the report and will continue to monitor available guidance to ensure that it remains robust, that it is correctly and consistently applied and strengthened where necessary."