What you need to know about the Four Angels Law

As part of the Road Safety Plan 2021, penalties were strengthened to further deter drink driving and reduce alcohol related trauma on New South Wales roads.

Drivers who are caught with a combination of illegal drugs and alcohol in their system will face harsher penalties, under the Four Angels Law, effective 28 June 2021.

The new law honours Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah, and Veronique Sakr who were killed by a drunk and drugged driver in a crash in Oatlands last year.

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,” said Constance.

“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,” said Toole.

“It’s a fatal combination that has left far too many families grieving the loss of a loved one.

“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 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.
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