With many Australians set to travel over Easter for camping, caravanning or family visits, road safety experts are urging drivers to be extra careful as double demerit periods begin in some states. One error can quickly add up to a licence suspension and derail holiday plans, particularly in New South Wales where illegally using a mobile phone normally attracts five demerit points but rises to 10 during double demerits.
Russell White, CEO of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, says it can happen faster than people expect. “The chances that you could lose your licence very quickly are pretty high,” he said.
He also warns that holiday driving brings different risks because people are often doing things they do not usually do. “People are driving in different ways, or they’re towing something or heading to a holiday place or in an environment where they’re not that familiar with,” he said. “The things that they’re doing are all a little bit different. And because of that difference, it just means that they may not be as switched on or might be in holiday mode. So it can change the dynamics of what’s going on in our streets.”
White says drivers should also expect increased enforcement, both visible and behind the scenes. “Certainly expect to see more police presence, whether that’s via cameras or other detection means, or by actual physical police cars,” he said. “You can expect that during these holiday periods.”
New South Wales and the ACT
In New South Wales and the ACT, double demerits apply for five days from Thursday, April 2 through to midnight on Monday, April 6. In NSW, double points apply for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt (including passengers), and riding without a motorcycle helmet. Fines stay the same, but the demerit points double.
Drivers should also remember that Thursday, April 2 is the last day of Term 1, so school zones will be operating and additional penalties may apply for offences in those areas.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, double demerits also begin on Thursday, April 2 and run until midnight on Easter Monday. WA applies the higher penalties to offences including speeding, drink or drug driving, incorrect seatbelt use (including child restraints), running a red light, mobile phone use, and using or driving in a way intended to evade speed camera detection.
Queensland
Queensland does not run holiday double demerit periods, but it does impose double demerits on repeat offences if a driver commits the same offence two or more times within 12 months. This covers speeding by more than 20km/h, mobile phone and driver seatbelt offences, cases where a driver fails to ensure passengers under 16 are properly restrained, and motorcycle helmet offences. This system can apply at any time of year, not just over public holidays.
South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory
South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not have a double demerits scheme.
