Motorists in NSW and ACT warned as double demerits enforced from Friday

A double demerit point period will be enforced in NSW and the ACT over the Labour Day long weekend. Motorists are warned increased penalties will be applied to those caught committing a range of offences from Friday, October 2 to Monday, October 5. Road users can clock up 10 demerit points if they’re caught using their mobile phone while driving in this period. Motorists with a full licence can only accumulate 13 points before they lose their licence, with points staying active for three years.

Double demerits are also applied for speeding, not wearing a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly, and riding a motorbike without a helmet. Western Australia is still observing a double demerit period for the state’s King’s Birthday public holiday until midnight on Monday. While NSW and the ACT are currently observing school holidays, WA motorists should be aware that “certain driving and parking offences attract an additional demerit point if committed in an operating school zone.” While demerit points are doubled, fines remain the same during the Labour Day period on the east coast. People caught driving with phones on their laps or in their hands, for example, will still cop a $423 fine.

Drivers will also need to keep an eye on passenger behaviour, with penalties directed to the registered car owner, and a recent NRMA report finding that passengers were responsible for 62 per cent of seatbelt offences. The survey found 33 per cent of drivers would still drive if a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt correctly.