Drivers Urged to Be Cautious During the Holiday Season
WA, NSW, and ACT Police to Enforce Double Demerit Points
This Christmas, Aussie drivers will face double demerit points as authorities issue stern warnings about a crackdown on driving offences over the holiday period. Police across various states and territories are stepping up enforcement, with significant fines and demerit points awaiting those who break the law.
Double demerit points and hefty fines will be imposed on motorists who commit driving offences during the Christmas and New Year period in NSW, the ACT, Queensland, and Western Australia.
However, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and the Northern Territory do not impose double demerits, either during the holiday season or at any other time of the year.
NSW and ACT: What Drivers Need to Know
In both NSW and the ACT, double demerit points will come into effect at midnight on December 20, 2024, and remain in place until January 1, 2025. Offences that will incur double points include speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, failure to wear a seat belt, and riding without a motorcycle helmet.
For instance, if caught using a mobile phone, drivers will face a $352 fine and 10 demerit points. Additionally, between January 24-27, 2025, double points will again be enforced.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, of the Traffic and Highway Patrol, emphasized that the holiday period is typically one of the busiest on NSW roads.
“The risk of fines or demerit points should deter people from breaking the law. However, the real incentive should be the safety of others. We encourage drivers to stay safe—this includes not driving while fatigued, taking breaks on long journeys, adjusting driving to road conditions, and never getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking alcohol or using illicit substances,” she stated.
Chapman also highlighted that police will have a highly visible presence across all NSW roads, from major highways to local streets, urging people to drive safely and responsibly.
Queensland: Year-Round Double Demerits
Unlike other states, Queensland imposes double demerit points year-round for specific repeat offences. If a driver commits certain offences again within 12 months of the first offence, they will face double demerit points. Offences include speeding more than 20km/h over the limit, using a mobile phone, failing to wear a seatbelt, and not properly restraining passengers under 16, as well as motorcycle helmet violations.
A spokesperson for Queensland Transport and Main Roads explained, “Dangerous driving behaviours are unacceptable all year, not just during holiday periods. By applying double demerit points throughout the year, we maintain a consistent deterrent effect and target high-risk behaviours.”
Western Australia: Longest Double Demerit Period
In Western Australia, double demerit points will apply over one of the longest periods, from Friday until January 5, 2025. Offences subject to double demerit points in WA include speeding, drink or drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, running red lights, illegal mobile phone use, and failure to properly restrain children.
Additionally, any driver caught evading detection devices or attempting to dodge a speed camera will incur extra points—up to a significant 14 points during the double demerit period.
Western Australia will also apply double points from January 24-27, 2025.
