As Australians prepare for the King’s Birthday long weekend, there is a strong emphasis on road safety, particularly with double demerit points being implemented in certain regions. Authorities will be on the lookout for various unsafe driving behaviours, such as speeding, using mobile phones while driving, motorcyclists not wearing helmets, and violations of seatbelt laws.
It’s crucial to note that the double demerit scheme varies across states and territories. For instance, in New South Wales and the ACT, double demerit points will be in effect from the early hours of Friday, June 6, until late on Monday, June 9. During this time, police will be strictly monitoring for a range of infractions.
Western Australia, while having a double demerit system, does not celebrate the King’s Birthday long weekend until September 29 this year, which means normal road rules will apply for the weekend.
In Queensland, the double demerit points system operates year-round. However, it applies only if a driver commits the same offence twice within a year, covering serious violations like speeding more than 20 km/h over the limit, mobile phone use, seatbelt breaches, and motorcycle helmet law violations.
On the other hand, jurisdictions like Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania do not implement a double demerit scheme. Nonetheless, police presence will be heightened across these regions during the long weekend, and drivers are encouraged to adhere to road rules and prioritise safety while travelling.
As a reminder, if caught committing a driving offence during the double demerit periods, offenders will accrue double the points on their driving licence. Therefore, it’s essential to stay vigilant and safe on the roads this holiday weekend.