When double demerits start in each state this Easter long weekend

The Easter long weekend is fast approaching and that means bigger penalties for motorists in most states.

Australians are counting the days to the Easter long weekend, with thousands of Aussies expected to hit the road for a short getaway or to be with loved ones for the holiday.

There is less than two weeks to go before the Good Friday public holiday and police are getting in early to remind drivers to stay vigilant on their roadtrips.

Over the Australia Day long weekend in January, police issued more than 3600 speeding fines, charged 244 people with drink-driving and attended 302 major crashes, resulting in 110 people injured - just in NSW alone.

Double demerits will be in place in multiple states this Easter long weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

In an attempt to discourage unsafe driving and reduce the rate of serious crashes on the nation’s roads, NSW, WA, Queensland and the ACT all deliver double demerits for the duration of the long weekend period.

Here’s what penalties will be in place in each state over the long weekend.

NSW, WA and the ACT

Double demerits will kick in from Thursday March 28 to Monday April 1 in NSW, Western Australia and the ACT.

It will apply to all speeding offences, mobile phone offences, not wearing seatbelt and riding a motorbike without a helmet.

Anyone caught commiting one of these offences will have double the amount of demerit points taken off their licence and could also face a hefty fine.

The long weekend starts on March 29. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Queensland

In the sunshine state, demerit points are not specific to public holiday periods, but are implemented year round for certain offences.

For example, anyone who commits two road offences within 12 months of each other could lose double the points.

Motorists could lose double the demerit points for comitting a traffic offence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The driver has to record 12 months without receiving a traffic offence for the demerit point system to reset.

Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania

All other states and territories are free from double demerits. However, drivers are urged take extra care as more police patrols will be in place over the long weekend.

Originally published as When double demerits start in each state this Easter long weekend