NSW roads are predicted to be busy during April with Easter and the Anzac Day long weekend. These are times when more people are on the road often taking long distance road trips.
Double demerits will be in force from Thursday 14 April to Monday 18 April inclusive and from Friday 22 April to Monday 25 April inclusive. During double demerit periods the consequences for breaking the road rules are more severe.
The aim of the demerit system is to provide an incentive for drivers to obey road rules, be mindful of their compliance with traffic laws and improve their driving behaviour.
Double demerits are, as the name suggests, when demerit points for certain offences are doubled during high-risk periods such as public holiday weekends, when more people are travelling on the roads and crashes are more likely to occur. The aim is to raise not only awareness but accountability by encouraging drivers to take even greater care on our roads during busy periods.
A common misconception is that the fine is doubled during double demerit periods. This is not true, it is double the demerit points not double the fine. The fine stays the same. Remember demerit points of any kind last for three years on your driving record.
The double demerit point scheme applies to the following types of offences:
- Speeding
- Illegal use of mobile phones
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Riding without a helmet
Consider the following examples of offences during double demerits.
If you are caught using a mobile phone while driving, you will cop 10 demerit points instead of the usual five and a $352 fine.
Not wearing a seatbelt while driving attracts a fine of $352 and six demerit points instead of three. Drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers are wearing a seatbelt and can receive an additional six demerit points and fine for each passenger not wearing a seatbelt.
The consequence for riding without a helmet is the same as for not wearing a seatbelt – six demerit points instead of three and a $352 fine.
For those on a full licence exceeding the speed limit by over 10 km/h up to 20 km/h will be eight demerit points instead of four with a fine of $494.
Police report that over two decades of enforcing double demerits, since they were introduced in 1997, has resulted in more than 400 fewer deaths on NSW roads during public holiday periods.
Avoiding double demerit points is simple. Stay under the speed limit, buckle up and follow the road rules and you won’t have to worry. Take extra care on the road during holiday periods when more people are travelling and be patient with your fellow motorists.
Remember the road toll isn’t just a number. It represents lost loved ones – husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues. The impact of the loss is far reaching and long lasting. Each life lost is one too many. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s strive to move towards zero fatalities on our roads.
