The grieving father of three children killed by a ‘drunk driver’ has once again called for the alcohol limit to be reduced to zero to prevent any future tragedies.
Sienna, nine, Angelina, 12, and Antony Abdallah, 13, died when they were hit by a car near their home at Oatlands, in Sydney’s north-west at 8pm on Saturday, February 1.
Danny Abdallah made an emotional goodbye to the three children during their joint funeral in Oatlands on Monday.
Last week Mr Abdallah told Daily Mail Australia the NSW state government should reduce the alcohol limit to zero – and this weekend he doubled down.
Danny Abdallah is the father of Sienna, 9, Angelina, 12, and Antony Abdallah, 13, who died when they were hit by a car on February 1. Mr Abdallah said the NSW state government should introduce a number of strict measures to stop any future alcohol-related incidents
‘I think there should be a 0:0 alcohol limit,’ Mr Abdallah told the Daily Telegraph.
‘It’s a domino effect. If you have one beer, it’s too easy to have another. If you go out and have the mindset that you can’t drink, you won’t be tempted. If you know you can’t drink, you are not going to play with the clock.’
Mr Abdallah also said licensed venues and security guards should be able to confiscate car keys from intoxicated customers to stop them from driving.
In addition, he suggested that breath alcohol ignition interlock devices should be a mandatory feature in all cars.
Ignition interlock devices are breathalysers for an individual’s vehicle that prevent people from driving their car if they blow over the limit.
Mr Abdallah proposed strict rules to curb alcohol-related road tragedies. He said there should be a zero alcohol limit, for breathalysers to be installed in cars and for security guards to be able to confiscate car keys from intoxicated customers
On Monday, thousands gathered with the Abdallah family at Our Lady of Lebanon co-cathedral to farewell Sienna, Angelina and Antony Abdallah
Mr Abdallah also said he and his wife are still in the depths of grief.
‘We are taking it hour by hour,’ he said.
‘That’s all we can do. We are literally taking it hour by hour.’
The father previously told Daily Mail Australia that despite being a drinker himself, he would now like to see the blood alcohol limit for drivers reduced to zero.
‘I’m a drinker, but I think the alcohol limit should be zero. I think you should just know that you can’t have any, that you can only have water, so the temptation isn’t there,’ he said.
‘People think ‘I’ll just have one more, I’ll be all right’ because they don’t want to get a taxi or an Uber, or they’ve spent all their money on the night out.
‘We have to do something.’
Samuel William Davidson, 29, was behind the wheel when the children died.
Police allege he was drinking for 13 hours before the accident.
Facing 20 charges including four counts of manslaughter, he is due before court in April.
Mr Abdallah, his wife Leila and their three remaining children are mourning the horrific accident that claimed the lives of Sienna, Angelina and Antony and their 10-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr
Truck driver Samuel William Davidson, 29, has been charged with 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter and high range drink driving
Mr Abdallah, his wife Leila and their three remaining children are mourning the horrific accident that claimed the lives of Sienna, Angelina and Antony and their 10-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr.
On Monday, thousands gathered with the Abdallah family at Our Lady of Lebanon co-cathedral to farewell the trio.
Leanna Abdallah, 10, who was walking with her siblings at the time of the accident but miraculously escaped any major injury, clutched her parents’ hands throughout the two-hour service.
Mr Abdallah and his wife Leila. The Abdallah family are deeply faithful Maronite Christians. Mr Abdallah previously told Daily Mail Australia that despite being a drinker himself, he would now like to see the blood alcohol limit for drivers reduced to zero