The family of a Bristol woman who was killed by a driver suffering a low sugar attack has called for the introduction of compulsory blood tests for diabetics before they get behind the wheel.

Relatives of "bubbly and happy-go-lucky" Pamela Beckett spoke out after an inquest heard she was hit on the pavement by a car being driven at up to 60mph by a man who had suffered a hypoglycaemic episode.

The 37-year-old had been walking with her boyfriend from Temple Meads station to her home in Totterdown when she was thrown 15ft into the air after she was struck by a Vauxhall Astra being driven by diabetic James Higgs.

Mr Higgs, 33, who lives in Barrs Court, Longwell Green, told yesterday's inquest at Flax Bourton he was not aware of the onset of his "hypo" because he had not pre-tested his blood sugar level before driving and had no warning symptoms.

He said he had no memory of the crash and had not been advised to always test his blood before getting behind the wheel.

Miss Beckett's sister Carol Brown said the accident highlighted shortcomings in the "management" of diabetic

drivers and believes people with Type 1 diabetes should be legally bound to test their blood sugar levels before driving.

She said: "We don't want another family to go through the same thing we went through.

"What's happened shows that diabetic drivers should be made aware that they need to test before they drive and regularly while driving."

In a statement read out at the hearing, Miss Brown said there were five fatal crashes every year and 45 serious accidents in the UK every month involving drivers suffering hypoglycaemic attacks.

Avon deputy coroner Terry Moore echoed Miss Brown's calls for action when he recorded a narrative verdict into the death, which he described as accidental and a "tragic incident".

Before he concluded the case, he heard that diabetics only received guidelines on driving if they requested them from the DVLA.

Mr Moore said: "At the very minimum, this information needs to be sent to every Type 1 diabetes sufferer and needs the recommendation that sufferers self test before taking the wheel of a vehicle."

Mr Higgs had been travelling from the city centre to see a friend at a pub near Temple Meads station when the accident happened at 4.45pm on January 21, 2007.

Mr Higgs said he had suffered less severe hypoglycaemic attacks before but said he was not aware of the effect an episode would have on his driving.

He told the inquest he received his driving licence back from the DVLA in March and now tested his blood sugar level before driving using a blood glucose monitor.

In January, Mr Higgs was told he would not face a charge of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared before Bristol Crown Court. Judge Jamie Tabor QC asked for a not guilty verdict to be recorded.

A DVLA spokeswoman said: "DVLA works with health professionals, Diabetes UK and other organisations to ensure newly-diagnosed diabetics receive information about the implications for driving and their obligation to notify the DVLA."

Director of care at Diabetes UK Simon O'Neill said: "Diabetes UK recommends that people with diabetes check their blood glucose levels before they get behind the wheel and regularly during the journey."