Whilst it can’t undo the tragic outcome of the infamous Oatlands crash, a new law in honour of the innocent lives lost will ensure that drivers who are caught under the influence of alcohol and drugs face harsher penalties.
The Four Angels Law, which will be enforced from today, is a tribute to 13-year-old Antony Abdallah and his siblings 12-year-old Angelina, nine-year-old Sienna and cousin, 11-year-old Veronique Sakr who tragically lost their lives last year when an intoxicated Samuel Davidson lost control of his vehicle, mounting a footpath where the children were walking on their way to get an ice-cream.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said research shows drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash if they are under the influence of both alcohol and illegal drugs.
“The Four Angels Law sends a clear message to drivers that this reckless and life-threatening behaviour will not be tolerated in NSW, and they will now face harsher penalties,” he said.
“You’re not only putting your life at risk when you get behind the wheel with drugs and alcohol in your system, but you could also kill your passengers, other road users and innocent pedestrians like Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said between 2015 and 2019, 98 people were killed on NSW roads as a result of a driver or rider having illegal levels of alcohol and illicit drugs combined in their system.
“The Four Angels Law reflects the seriousness of driving with both alcohol and illegal drugs in your system. It’s a fatal combination that has left far too many families grieving the loss of a loved one,” he said.
“The NSW Government is working hard to make our roads safer, but we need everyone to remember that the decisions they make before getting behind the wheel can have lasting – and sometimes fatal – consequences.”
The Abdallah, and Sakr families said the Four Angels Law is an important legacy for their children, and will help to put a stop to road trauma.
“No one deserves to go through what we are going through,” Mother Leila Abdallah said.
“No one deserves to die on the road.
“No one deserves to die the way our kids did, to drugs, alcohol and speeding.
“Our four beautiful angels were taken from us in the most terrible way.
“We now live in constant pain and we wake up to this every day.
“This law is their legacy to put a stop to more tragedies, pain and suffering.”
“This new law, in honour of my daughter Veronique and her three cousins, represents a significant change in the law recognising the devastating impact of drugs and misuse of alcohol in our society, specifically on the roads,” Mother Bridget Sakr added.
The new combined offence includes:
– Minimum licence disqualification periods starting at 12 months for mid-range and 18 months for a high-range first offences;
– Alcohol interlock periods to reduce the risk of repeat drink driving;
– Police able to impose vehicle sanctions for high range combined first offences, and all second and subsequent offences;
– Penalties for second and subsequent offences around double a first offence.
For more information about the combined law, visit https://bit.ly/2SQHaky
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.