Double demerits to be applied from Christmas Eve in NSW, ACT and WA

Some of Australia's states and territories will be doubling their penalties

Archive Whichcar 2018 11 30 1 South Australian Police Out 125 Speeding Fines Complex Legal Issues
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Snapshot

  • ACT, NSW and WA to enforce double demerits from December 24
  • Victoria, SA, NT, QLD and Tasmania don't hand out harsher penalties during public holidays
  • Road toll for 2021 has surpassed 2020 levels

Australian motorists could be hit with tougher penalties for breaking road rules this Christmas, with a number of states and territories handing out double demerit points from December 24.

Applying to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia, double demerits will be slapped on certain traffic offences from Christmas Eve until early next year – potentially leading to a quicker loss of licence in certain situations.

For the ACT and NSW the double demerit period stretches from December 24, 2021, to January 3, 2022, while those in WA are at risk for almost another week – with the end date extended out to January 9, 2022.

LocationDouble demerit period
Australian Capital TerritoryDecember 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022
New South WalesDecember 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022
Western AustraliaDecember 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022
QueenslandApplies all year for second offences
VictoriaNot applicable 
TasmaniaNot applicable 
South AustraliaNot applicable 
Northern TerritoryNot applicable 

It's worth noting each of the aforementioned states and territory all have varying laws on which road rules will be affected by double demerits, as the ACT also includes a list of extras in the period which add just one point rather than doubling the penalty.

For travellers in Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, no double demerits apply during the public holiday period – though expect police to be extra vigilant given a majority of the country's state borders are now open.

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Despite Australia being in various stages of lockdown throughout the year, the 2021 road toll has risen to 1126 fatalities, a 1.4 per cent increase over 2020.

The New South Wales Government has also reinstated speed camera warning signs for mobile speed cameras, although as opposed to before where the signs would be placed in advance of the camera vehicle, they will now be affixed to the roof – giving drivers less time to react if they're doing the wrong thing.

Australian Capital Territory

Traffic offenceDouble demerits
Exceeding the speed limit by less than 15km/h2
Driving without a seatbelt6
Exceeding the speed limit by at least 15km/h but not more than 30km/h6
Disobeying a traffic signal6
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet6
Using a mobile phone while driving — calls (except hands-free)6
Using a mobile phone while driving — texting, social networking etc.8

New South Wales

Traffic offenceDouble demerits
Exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h or less (full licence)2
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 10km/h but not more than 20km/h (full licence)6
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet (rider alone)6
Driver or passenger not wearing a seatbelt6
Exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h or less (learner or provisional licence)8
Driving using a mobile phone when not permitted (full licence)10
Learner or provisional driver using a mobile phone while driving10

Western Australia

Traffic offenceDouble demerits
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 9km/h but not more than 19km/h4
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 19km/h but not more than 29km/h6
Driving through a red light6
Using a mobile phone illegally while driving16
Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) equal to or above 0.05 but less than 0.06 (first offence)26
Driving with a prescribed illicit drug present in your oral fluid or blood (first offence)6
Failure to wear a seatbelt or child restraint8
Driving a vehicle fitted with a device, or in a manner, designed to evade detection by a speed camera14
Jordan Mulach
Contributor

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