Safe-driving advocates in New Brunswick are applauding Premier Shawn Graham's promise to review drunk-driving laws after two parents were killed in a head-on collision near Salisbury last month.

Graham says he wants more educational programs to convince people not to drink and drive.

"We have a responsibility to look at existing legislation to see how it can be strengthened," Graham told reporters on Friday. "But at the same time, we need to raise public awareness. You can create the toughest laws in the land, but you still can't prevent someone from getting behind the wheel drunk."

Laura and Gregory O'Dell were killed instantly when their silver Acura smashed into a Ford Windstar van on Highway 106 on Oct. 29. Their young son and daughter, who were sitting in the back seat of the car, were also injured.

Kali O'Dell, 12, has been released from hospital. Jeremy, 9, is being treated in a Halifax hospital. A trust fund also has been set up for the children.

The driver of the second car, Valmont Antioine LeBlanc, 44, formerly of Amherst, N.S., is now facing 12 criminal charges. They include two counts each of impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

LeBlanc was also injured in the crash, and remains in Moncton hospital until his bail hearing Nov. 14.

The New Brunswick chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been pushing the government to beef up its drunk-driving legislation for three years.

A recent report from the group ranked New Brunswick second to last in the country — ahead of only Nunavut — on its efforts to keep repeat offenders off the road.

Janet Masson, with MADD in Moncton, says a review of the legislation is a good start.

"I'm glad he [the premier] wants to have them reviewed, but it shouldn't have taken this long," she said.

Chuck Crawford, MADD's Saint John representative, says education is a good idea, but the province must also consider giving the police more power to stop drivers who appear drunk.

He says the government of Sweden is working to make breathalyzers mandatory in all cars. The devices turn off the engine if alcohol on the breath is detected.

Crawford says MADD has lots of experts that can help the provincial government draw up new laws.

He says the province should try to become the leader in Canada when it comes to controlling drunk driving, instead of repeatedly coming in at the bottom of the heap.