June 6th 2024.
The King's Birthday long weekend is quickly approaching for most Australians, and with it comes a heightened police presence on the roads. The goal is to prevent any tragedies and keep the road toll at a minimum during this public holiday.
One measure being implemented is the double demerit points system in certain jurisdictions over the long weekend. This means that if you are caught committing specific driving offences, you will receive double the usual amount of demerit points on your license. These offences include speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, using a mobile phone while driving, and more.
If you are planning to hit the road this weekend, it's crucial to be aware of the rules and regulations in your state or territory. In New South Wales and the ACT, double demerits will be in place from 12:01am on Friday, June 7 until 11:59pm on Monday, June 10. This applies to offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Queensland, on the other hand, does not have a public holiday for the King's Birthday until October 7, but they do have a permanent double demerit system in place. In this state, if you commit the same driving offence twice within a 12-month period, you will receive double demerit points. This includes speeding more than 20km/h over the limit, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and not wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Western Australia also has a double demerits scheme, but their King's Birthday long weekend falls on September 23 this year, so road rules will operate as normal this weekend. As for Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, none of these jurisdictions have a double demerits system in place. However, drivers are still urged to be cautious and follow the road rules as police will likely be out in full force during the long weekend.
It's important to remember that the purpose of these measures is to keep everyone safe on the roads. Last year, 13 people tragically lost their lives on the roads during the King's Birthday long weekend in New South Wales. The Transport for NSW's Centre for Road Safety and Maritime Safety chief, Bernard Carlon, reminds us to be careful and mindful of others while driving. So, whether you're enjoying a public holiday or simply heading out for a drive, let's all remember to stay safe and follow the road rules.
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