TWO young drivers who were involved in a crash that resulted in a teacher's death have received custodial sentences and are banned from driving until they take further tests.

Colleen Van Rooyen, 39, was on her way to collect her teenage son from cricket practice when she was killed instantly in the accident at Hollow Lane, Canterbury, in February 2006.

Her Toyota Starlet was hit by a Honda Civic driven by Steven Vidler, 20, of Davidson Road in the city. He was sentenced to two years and banned for three years after being convicted at Canterbury Crown Court in June of causing death by dangerous driving.

His friend Luke Dixon, 20, of New House Lane, Canterbury, had been following in another Civic and also struck the Toyota a glancing blow before hitting a bank then colliding with Vidler's car.

He was convicted of dangerous driving and sentenced to 12 months with a two year ban. Both will go to a young offenders institute.

The court had ordered reports after their convictions and Judge Adele Williams said it was a tragic case describing Ms Van Rooyen as a gifted teacher, loving mother and delightful person who left a teenage son and many close family members.

She said evidence showed Vidler had been driving about 45mph and Dixon about 42mph, within the national 60mph speed limit for that road, but Hollow Lane was dark and narrow with steep banks.

She said in a moment of grossly irresponsible folly Vidler created a tragedy. He panicked when he saw oncoming headlights and lost control, hitting a bank, his car partially in the air and landing on top of the Toyota. She said Dixon was unable to stop because of the speed he was travelling.

Both came from respectable families and she took into account the defendants' remorse and said events of that night would live with them for the rest of their lives.

Although in the lower culpability bracket, she couldn't ignore the fact they were two young men driving too fast in conditions and in convoy.