Drivers warned of double demerits ahead of long weekend ‘exodus’

Tough penalties have come into force on the roads over the long weekend as one state’s death toll climbs to a tragic height.

Double demerits will be dealt out across NSW and the ACT this June long weekend, as police target specific dangerous driving behaviours on our roads.

The four-day operation will happen in NSW and the ACT, with police out in force from Friday to Monday.

Double demerits penalties will be applied to all speeding, seatbelt, and mobile phone offences, as well as riding while not wearing a helmet.

All other traffic offences in both the ACT and NSW will attract one additional demerit point.

The four-day operation will run from June 9 until June 12. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

In both regions, police operations imposing double demerits will commence at 12.01am Friday June 9 and conclude at 11.59pm on Monday June 12.

NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said police would be “doing (their) utmost” to ensure people’s safe arrival over the long weekend.

“This year alone 148 people have been killed on NSW roads,” he said.

“Behind these numbers are family and friends who have lost a loved one.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell also said police had been seeing motorists driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol “on a daily basis”.

He warned motorists that driving when tired was “just as dangerous” as drink driving.

“If you’re feeling fatigued, don’t fight it, just pull up and have a sleep or swap drivers,” he said.

Police have warned motorists that driving while fatigued is ‘just as dangerous’ as driving under the influence of alcohol. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Officer in Charge of ACT Road Policing Acting Inspector Ken Williams said police were dialling up their road presence ahead of the mass holiday “exodus” normally seen in the ACT.

“If you are travelling interstate remember to drive to the conditions and take regular breaks,” he said.

“We want to see people doing the right thing … slow down, obey the speed limit, and if you are drinking across the weekend, please don’t drive.”

Inspector Williams took the opportunity to urge motorists to work with police as they conduct road safety operations over the Sovereign’s Birthday long weekend.

“Police don’t want to be handing out infringements, but we will if we see drivers disobeying the road rules,” he said.

Double-demerits road safety operations have been in place in NSW since 1997. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

In addition to an increased police presence on the state and territory roads, mobile phone detection cameras will also remain active across the long weekend.

During this period, a driver caught using their mobile phone will be hit with a $352 fine, which increases to $469 if in a school zone, and an eye-watering 10 demerit points.

For each person not wearing a seatbelt over this period, they will be hit with a hefty six demerit points and a $352 fine.

A driver with four or more unrestrained passengers can expect to cop 12 demerit points and a whopping $1487 fine.

Drivers caught using their mobile phones over this period will cop a hefty 10 demerit points. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not employ double-demerit operations in their road safety strategies.

For road users enjoying the King’s Birthday long weekend across these states and territories, the usual penalties and fines will apply, although there will likely be an increased police presence on the roads.

Western Australia and Queensland will observe the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, September 25, and Monday, October 2, respectively.

While Queensland does use double demerits, they do not only apply during holiday periods like in NSW, the ACT and WA – they instead apply to drivers who repeatedly commit specific offences within a 12-month period.

This system may still apply to Queensland licence holders who commit traffic offences in other states and territories.

While demerit points will be doubled across NSW and the ACT over the four-day period, fines will remain the same.