Advocating for Victim Impact Panels in NSW

By Duncan Wakes-Miller

It is disheartening to note that repeat offenders are statistically six times more likely to be involved in serious or fatal road crashes. In the last twelve-month period, more than one person has lost their life on the roads every day and every hour, more than one person has been admitted to a NSW hospital.??

Imagine if there were a way to reduce the number of road fatalities without imposing stricter restrictions solely on drunk, drugged, or habitual speeding offenders. A solution that has shown its effectiveness - this is something that should undoubtedly garner bipartisan support from both sides of the New South Wales Parliament.

Drawing from an eight-year study conducted in the United States on the impact of Victim Impact Panels (VIP), it was found that individuals with prior DUI convictions who participated in a VIP program exhibited significantly lower recidivism rates over an eight-year period than those who did not attend.

The Victim Impact Panel (VIP) program aims to help individuals convicted of drunk and drugged driving offences recognise and internalise the lasting and far-reaching consequences of substance-impaired driving. These classes seek to cultivate empathy and understanding of the tragedies caused by such actions, leaving a profound and lasting impression that leads to meaningful changes in thinking and behaviour, thereby preventing future offences.

Victims, survivors, and individuals impacted by crashes involving substance-impaired drivers share their stories during a VIP session. They provide firsthand accounts of how these crashes have deeply affected their lives or the lives of their loved ones without laying blame or judgment. They aim to convey the real impact of these accidents on their lives, as well as the lives of their families and friends.

As a father who tragically lost his son to a drunk driver, an incident that saw the offender escape any meaningful penalty, I fervently advocate for including Victim Impact Panels in our response to these cases. At the very least, it is a significant step toward addressing incidents of Vehicular Homicide, which, in all fairness, is a more appropriate term for these devastating crimes.

[Source: Fiftyfive5 Research 2023]

[For more information, see "Do Victim Impact Panels Have Sustained Effects on DUI Recidivism?" by Kevin Thompson and Sarah Joyce.]

[Note: Victim Impact Panels should not replace conventional measures in the justice system nor provide an opportunity for offenders to plead remorse prior to sentencing]

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