Not all Australian states and territories impose double demerit points during the Easter long weekend.
### Key Points on Double Demerit Dates and Penalties
This Easter, double demerits will be enforced for five days in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Western Australia (WA). The enforcement period will commence on Thursday, April 2, and conclude on Monday, April 6. Following this, a second double demerit period will occur over the ANZAC Day long weekend, from April 24 to April 27. The penalties extend to offences such as speeding, driving under the influence, failures to wear seatbelts, and using mobile phones while driving. In WA, running a red light will also incur double demerits. While the demerit points are doubled during these periods, the fines themselves remain unchanged.
In contrast, Queensland has a different approach. The state applies double demerits throughout the year for specific offences if a driver commits a subsequent violation within a year of their last. This includes serious breaches such as exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h and using a mobile phone while driving. Importantly, fines in Queensland are not affected by the doubling of demerit points.
On the other hand, South Australia (SA), the Northern Territory (NT), Victoria, and Tasmania do not enforce double demerit points at any time, including during holiday periods. Motorists in these regions should still exercise caution over the busy Easter weekend, despite the absence of heightened penalties.
### Summary
In summary, NSW, ACT, and WA will enforce double demerits over Easter and ANZAC Day, while Queensland has year-round rules for certain repeat offences. However, SA, NT, Victoria, and Tasmania opt not to implement double demerit periods, urging all drivers to remain vigilant and safe during this busy time.