When her daughter was killed in a car accident by a driver high on drugs in 2008, Tuggeranong community champion Alison Ryan refused to sit on her hands.
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Instead, the woman who refused to miss a community council meeting, even deep into her battle with cancer, got the NRMA on board and pushed for new random drug testing legislation in the ACT.
Ms Ryan passed away early Tuesday morning, leaving behind her daughter Chloe and son Liam.
"Because of Alison Ryan our roads are safer, the legislation has proved very effective” said Jeremy Hanson, the ACT Opposition Leader who supported the bill.
He remembered vividly Ms Ryan embracing him on the Assembly floor the day the roadside drug testing legislation passed. Mr Hanson said he was saddened on a personal level with Ms Ryan's death overnight, saying it “was an absolute tragedy”.
Ms Ryan was a selfless servant of the community, volunteering on the community services subcommittee and the ACT Shopfront.
Her work there saw her champion new ways for people to pay off fines and debts they were struggling with. She was also part of a community group that worked to clean up Lake Tuggeranong.
Spokesman for the Tuggeranong Community Council Darryl Johnston said he would remember her sheer determination in pursuing safer roads for young people.
"Despite her loss she turned that negative into a real benefit for the community" Mr Johnston said.
The new random drug testing allows police officers to test motorists via oral swab for drugs like amphetamines, cannabis and ecstasy in the ACT.
Ms Ryan died peacefully surrounded by family at Clare Holland House.
