DENVER, Colo. -- A Call7 Investigation has prompted an important change in state law that will make Colorado roads safer.

Governor Bill Ritter has signed legislation that will make it easier to revoke the licenses of Colorado's worst drivers.

The governor says the law is essential because, “It will save lives and prevent the kind of needless tragedies we have seen in this state from dangerous drivers being able to remain on the road.”

The Call7 Investigation examined circumstances surrounding the death of Dave Sueper who was killed in a car accident in Adams County last year.

We found the teenager was still legally driving, months after pleading guilty to the deadly accident, even though his license was supposed to be suspended after he acquired too many points from previous tickets.

How does that happen?

CALL7 Investigator John Ferrugia learned the teenager had not yet received a mandatory revocation hearing conducted by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles.

Our search of the DMV database found a backlog of more than 5,000 of Colorado's worst drivers still on the road and DMV officials didn’t know it until we told them.

Our investigation found the backlog was due in large part to an administrative appeals process that allows convicted drivers to delay suspension for up to 90 days.

As a result of the Call7 Investigation and the testimony of Diane Sueper, the widow of Dave Sueper, the Colorado legislature acted quickly to pass legislation that removes administrative roadblocks.

The new law allows the DMV to set a hearing date and if drivers don’t appear, their license is suspended immediately.

While they can appeal the suspension, they do so without their driver’s license.

Ritter and legislators simply weren’t aware of the problem until the Call7 Investigation.

“Once you see the problem identified,” said the governor, “we ask ourselves why we haven’t fixed this before.”

Both the governor and state legislators recognized and thanked Diane Sueper for her work as well as Ferrugia and the 7NEWS investigative team for bringing the problem to public attention.

The new law takes effect in August and will apply to all cases going forward.

DMV officials say it might take up to a year to clear the current backlog.

For Diane Sueper, who lost her husband, it was a bitter sweet but hopeful day because her husband's legacy is now tied to important changes in state law.

And she urged others to get actively involved in their government.

“Any ordinary person can make a difference if you find out what's going on,” she said. “It means a lot to me that people listened and we made a change that is going to be better for all of us.”