Specialist forces will now target high risk drivers after the tragic death of Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family.
The talented actress was killed after a horrific road crash on Boxing Day last year by Craig Whitall – a driver who had only just been given his licence back.
The 28-year-old died soon after her parents, Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60, and her little sister Annabelle, 21, as a result of the New South Wales smash.
The Falkholt family (pictured) were killed in the horrific road on Boxing Day last year by Craig Whitall – a driver who had only just been given his license back
Strike Force Puma has been deployed six months after the fiery crash as an attempt to keep people with a repeated history of drink and drug driving and drivers with extreme and erratic behavior off the road.
New South Wales Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy announced the new action on Friday and claimed they would target drivers who ‘ignore regular traffic enforcement’.
‘So far this year 169 people have died in 158 crashes, and of those, six people were killed by drivers who were unlicensed, disqualified or suspended,’ Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
‘We will not tolerate high risk and irresponsible driving behavior that puts other road users at risk.’
There were 21 people killed last year at the hands of drivers who had licences that were disqualified, suspended or cancelled.
‘All too often, high-risk drivers and repeat offenders are jumping behind the wheel only to flout the road rules once again and put other people’s lives in danger,’ NSW Minister for Police Troy Grant said.
Strike Force Puma has been deployed six months after the fiery crash as an attempt to keep people with a repeated history of drink and drug driving and drivers with extreme and erratic behavior off the road
‘All too often, high-risk drivers and repeat offenders are jumping behind the wheel only to flout the road rules once again and put other peoples’ lives in danger,’ NSW Minister for Police Troy Grant said
A team including specialist officers will target recidivist traffic offenders across NSW in Metropolitan and regional areas.
Law enforcers are calling upon the public to hand over any footage or reports of dangerous driving to Crime stoppers or the local police.
Assistant Commissioner Corboy said: ‘The community needs to work with us to bring about a cultural change in driver attitude and behavior.’
On the 26th of December, 2017 the Falkholt’s were travelling back to Sydney along the Princes Highway near the Bendalong turn-off when their family car came into the path of Craig Whitall’s Toyota Prado.
The triple-fatal driver responsible for the crash was on his way home from a South Coast methadone clinic before he was killed by impact from the crash alongside Falkholt’s parents
The triple-fatal driver responsible for the crash was on his way home from a South Coast methadone clinic before he was killed by impact from the crash alongside Falkholt’s parents.
Authorities said Mr Whitall was ‘well-known’ to police and had more than 60 offences on his record.
Jessica Falkholt and her sister Annabelle were pulled from the vehicle by bystanders before both vehicles involved exploded into flames.
Jessica died at Sydney’s St George Hospital six days after her life support was turned off and Annabelle died in Liverpool hospital only days before.
There has been 18 lives lost on the road in NSW in this month alone.
Jessica Falkholt (pictured) and her sister Annabelle were pulled from the vehicle by bystanders before it exploded into flames. They both died in hsopital