Drivers risk losing double demerit points in Australia Day long weekend police crackdown

Drivers in some states risk losing double demerit points over the Australia Day weekend, while another state is cracking down on one simple task.

Police in Victoria are pleading with drivers to use seatbelts following three fatal smashes already this year where the victims weren’t wearing them.

It comes as police across the country prepare to ramp up patrols ahead of the Australia Day long weekend, with some jurisdictions threatening to punish offending drivers with double demerit points.

Motorists in NSW and the ACT face losing double demerit points this weekend, with police particularly targeting speeding, mobile phone, motorcycle helmet and seatbelt offences.

The double demerit period lasts for five days, from January 22 to January 26 inclusive.

In Queensland, double demerit penalties apply all year round for repeat offenders of specific offences, and while WA uses double demerits in most holiday periods, they do not apply over the Australia Day long weekend.

Victoria won’t be adopting the double demerit point approach at all.

Instead, the state’s Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner John Fitzpatrick said police would be running Operation Amity, with officers holding random alcohol and drug testing across hundreds of sites.

“We know that people will be travelling to holiday destinations, and with this comes more traffic on our rural roads. If you’re driving long distances, take regular breaks and where possible share the driving to avoid fatigue,” he said.

“If you’re having a few drinks with your mates, make sure you’ve planned how to get home without driving. We want people to have a good time but do not want to be attending collision scenes where drugs or alcohol is a contributing factor.”

Assistant Commissioner John Fitzpatrick said there had already been three fatal collisions this year where early investigations revealed seatbelts hadn’t been used.

Assistant Commissioner Fitzpatrick said there had already been three fatal collisions this year where early investigations revealed seatbelts hadn’t been used.

He said seatbelts provided drivers and passengers with the “best chance of survival” in a crash.

“Always wear a seatbelt. There’s no excuse,” he said.

“Sadly, lives could have been saved if people managed to do this simple task.”

Operation Amity will run from midnight on Friday, January 22 until 11.59pm on Tuesday, January 26.

More cars are expected to be on the road this weekend as Aussies celebrate the Australia Day long weekend. Picture: Stuart Miligan

Meanwhile, South Australia police will be focusing on roads around the state’s beaches where thousands of people are expected to congregate.

“Some beaches in SA like Aldinga, Moana and Silver Sands allow cars to drive on the beach – so police patrols will be monitoring driving behaviour on and around those beaches in particular,” a South Australia Police spokesman said.

“We just ask motorists to use caution when driving on the beach, obey all speed limits and be weary of pedestrians, especially children.”

Originally published as Drivers risk losing double demerit points in Australia Day long weekend police crackdown