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Police target serial driving offenders after horror Boxing Day Falkholt crash

A CRACK team of specialist police will target high risk drivers including serial offenders with a history of drink and drug driving in response to the Boxing Day crash that killed Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family.

A CRACK team of specialist police will target high risk drivers including serial offenders with a history of drink and drug driving in response to the Boxing Day crash that killed Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family.

NSW Police today deployed Strike Force Puma in the wake of the horror road toll over the Christmas and New Year period, most heavily marked by a head-on crash that claimed the lives of Ms Falkholt, 28, her parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60, and sister Annabelle, 21.

The horror Boxing Day crash killed Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family.
The horror Boxing Day crash killed Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family.
The scene moments after the fiery crash in which the family died. Picture: Seven News Sydney
The scene moments after the fiery crash in which the family died. Picture: Seven News Sydney
Craig Whitall, who died in the crash that killd Jess and her family, was handed his licence back in December 2016 when his bans finally ran out.
Craig Whitall, who died in the crash that killd Jess and her family, was handed his licence back in December 2016 when his bans finally ran out.

It also comes after The Daily Telegraph highlighted the need for more to be done to target recidivist behaviour after revealing driver responsible was a repeat offender who served six jail sentences for continuing to drive while disqualified.

Craig Whitall, 50, who also died in the crash, was handed his licence back in December 2016 when his bans finally ran out.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said 21 people in NSW died last year at the hands of drivers who were disqualified, suspended or cancelled.

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He said Strike Force Puma would go after drivers who continued to flout the law after being convicted by courts and harness the power of social media to track down motorists caught doing the wrong thing.

“There is numerous incidents of people we know … who have shown a lack of respect for the law either by driving under the influence of drugs or driving under the influence of alcohol on a regular basis,” he said.

The horror crash on the Princes Highway on Boxing Day. Picture: Nine News
The horror crash on the Princes Highway on Boxing Day. Picture: Nine News

Even motorists who currently hold valid licences could find themselves in Puma’s crosshairs if police receive intelligence they are driving under the influence or demonstrating erratic behaviour.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said Puma would help stop “reckless” drivers, particularly those who are suspended or cancelled licence-holders.

“We all know the road toll has been climbing and going in the wrong direction for too long,” he said.

“The recent results are more positive for this year’s figures however six fatalities have involved people who have either been disqualified or cancelled for having a licence this year and that’s unacceptable.

“They should not have been on the road and this new strike force will do all in its power to make sure they won’t be on the road.”

Inspector Rob Toynton said Puma had already experienced early wins.

Earlier this week, a 46-year-old Western Sydney woman was charged with dangerous and negligent driving after a member of the community submitted footage to police.

“The community is the eyes and ears of this Strike Force. We need the community’s help to target high risk drivers,” he said.

“To get in the crosshairs of Puma you need to demonstrate dangerous driving behaviour … we’ve got the resources to go anywhere in the state.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/police-target-serial-driving-offenders-after-horror-boxing-day-falkholt-crash/news-story/e56119697d4e0b4a0b6b4d554a4d11ce