Refer to the link to Brendan Saul link in the righthand column of this blog for further background to these new penalities.

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Herald Sun: New hit-run penalties today [13feb06]
A NEW offence for hit-and-run accidents comes into force in NSW today, with a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ jail for motorists who leave a victim to die at a crash scene. The law, introduced by the State Government, compels a person who stops at an accident to remain there until it is reasonable for them to leave. “These new penalties were introduced following the tragic case of young Brendan Saul, who died following a hit-and-run accident in Dubbo,” Attorney-General Bob Debus said in a statement today.

“When a driver leaves the scene of an accident, leaving in his or her wake a dead or badly injured person, without attempting to render assistance, the fundamental code of civilised society is breached.”

The laws force drivers to render all necessary assistance to an accident victim. Hit-run drivers face up to 10 years’ jail where death results from the accident, while those who leave an accident which results in grievous bodily harm face up to seven years in prison.

Mr Debus said existing laws provided for up to 18 months’ jail - and two years for a second offence - for failing to stop at an accident scene. “When such a relatively low penalty for failing to stop is balanced against the higher penalties for crimes like dangerous driving, there seems to be no incentive for drivers to stay and render assistance,” he said. ”

The legislation, to be known as Brendan’s law, gives true recognition to society’s abhorrence of those who injure their fellow citizens and then abandon them to die.” Brendan’s family had campaigned for changes to the law governing hit-run accidents after his death, Mr Debus said.