The peak body representing surgeons has called for Australia to consider adopting a lower blood-alcohol limit of 0.02 after the deaths of four children at the hands of an alleged drunk driver.
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) said it's important to find a way to reduce the risk of this ever happening again.
RACS National Trauma Committee chair John Crozier said there is a precedent for a zero blood-alcohol limit, citing learner drivers and those behind the wheel for commercial purposes.
He said a 0.02 limit, however, would be more feasible for situations where someone has ingested alcohol the night before or has taken cough syrup.
In NSW, the blood-alcohol limit is 0.05, while learner and probationary drivers have a zero blood-alcohol limit.
Mother Leila Geagea (right) places flowers at the memorial for her children killed in a car crash in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands. Source: AAP
"We do need to give consideration with these tragedies whether reviewing 0.05 is appropriate as the upper threshold," he said.
"Or should we lower it to 0.02 to bring us into line with countries like Norway, which enjoy a significant benefit with very few deaths per 100,000 head of population."
He said that a blood-alcohol reading three times above the legal limit increases the crash risk by 380 times.
"The clear message though is that any ethanol consumption degrades judgment, cognitive [function], reaction times and other skills with a complex task that driving actually constitutes," he said.
'Drivers be careful'
On Sunday, the father of three of the four children killed, Daniel Abdallah, pleaded with drivers to be more careful.
"All I want to say is please, drivers be careful. These kids were just walking innocently, enjoying each other's company," he said.
Sienna, 9, Angelina, 12, and Anthony 13 had been walking along a footpath in Sydney's northwestern suburb of Oatlands to get some ice cream with their 11-year-old cousin, Veronique Sakr when the crash happened.
They all died at the scene.
Three other children remain in hospital; the sister of the Abdallah children and her two cousins from the Kassas family.
Community focus on road safety
An online petition calling for speed bumps on long roads in Oatlands has gathered close to 2,000 signatures.
Members of the community said they struggled to understand why people would take the risk of drink driving.
"I’ll never understand drink driving. Totally selfish. Even more so with many rideshare options available now. There’s no place for it," one Twitter user wrote.
Parramatta resident, comedian and actor Rob Shehadie said the issue of drink driving must be taken more seriously.
"To those that don’t take drink driving seriously, then take a look at this heart breaking loss," he wrote in a message posted on Twitter.
'Heartbreaking'
The church attended by the three families affected urged people to think and pray for them.
The church's dean, Father Tony Sarkis, said a prayer night will be held for the four children killed in the crash.
"We have been supporting the family since we heard the tragic news last night through our prayers and masses firstly and through our ongoing support by their side," Father Sarkis said in a statement.
"This heartbreaking event has touched the hearts of all the community and we ask everyone to continue to pray for the three families entrusting them to the glory of the resurrection and eternal life."
The size of the flower-adorned memorial near the crash site has been growing as mourners pay their respects.
Mr Abdallah and his wife, Leila, attended the memorial on Sunday near the Oatlands Golf Club.
Tara Anglican School for Girls in North Parramatta held a memorial service on Sunday for their students Angelina and Sienna.
The family of Veronique said they are grieving.
"Words cannot describe the pain we feel for all the families impacted by this tragedy," a statement released by the family said.
"Veronique was a vibrant 11-year-old girl, full of life, love and had a maturity well beyond her young years.
Flowers placed at the scene where seven children where hit on a footpath by a four-wheel drive in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands. Source: AAP
"Veronique brought us all such joy and will be forever remembered. Veronique will remain in our hearts always."
Mr Abdallah on Sunday spoke of his children, saying they each held a special place in his heart.
"I always say I was a full-time father, part-time worker," the father of six said. "They were my priority, and now they’re gone."
Antony was a basketball player beginning grade eight, who on the morning of his death dedicated his basketball game to Kobe Bryant.
Angelina was "my little helper" and Sienna was "my little diva, my little actress".
Members of the community posted messages of support on social media.
Police plan to 'prosecute to the fullest extent of the law'
The 29-year-old driver did not apply for bail when the case was mentioned at Parramatta Court on Sunday.
Samuel William Davidson has been charged with 20 offences relating to the incident.
Police said they are building a case against Mr Davidson, who recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.150 - three times over the limit.
"Obviously our investigation is still in its early stage," NSW Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
"We have had a number of witnesses come forward. We have had long, lengthy conversations with those witnesses.
"And a case is building. We think we have a very strong case in relation to these charges. And we'll be prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law."
The alleged driver is scheduled to return to Parramatta Local Court on 2 April.
