Millions of NSW drivers eligible to have demerit points wiped as road deaths spark concern

Drivers in one state are being urged to use the new demerit scheme as an incentive to drive safely.

More than one million drivers across NSW could have a demerit point scrubbed from their licence within weeks, as the state grapples with a worrying spike in road-related deaths ahead of the summer holidays.

Under a trial reform of the state’s demerit point system, about 1.3m people will be able to apply to have a demerit point wiped until January 17, 2024 as long as they have maintained an offence-free record.

The trial, which passed state parliament on Wednesday, only applies to full-licence holders, meaning learners and provisional licence holders will not be eligible.

It comes as the state’s government urges motorists to drive safely over the Christmas period amid an uptick in road-related deaths.

“Our message is crystal clear: drive safely and you’ll get a point scrubbed from your licence. The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be,” said NSW roads minister John Graham.

NSW announced in June that the demerit point trial would come into effect 6 months earlier than first announced.

“I am deeply concerned by the number of lives lost on NSW roads. The road toll is rising in other states so this is a shared problem across the nation, but we must do all we can here in NSW to make sure everyone gets home safely to their family.”

About 337 people have died on the state’s roads, an increase of 61 compared to the same last year.

A total of eight people have died in motorbike and car crashes across New South Wales in the past week alone.

Among the recent victims include an 84-year-old man who was killed after a minibus overturned after it was hit by another car in regional NSW on Saturday night.

“Sadly, the fatality rate per head of population for country residents of NSW is almost 5 times that of metropolitan residents,” Mr Graham said.

“Simple acts such as wearing your seatbelt and putting your phone away could just save yours or another road user’s life.”

The government has said it will continue the demerit point offer in 2024.

Originally published as Millions of NSW drivers eligible to have demerit points wiped as road deaths spark concern