Avoid double demerits this ANZAC Day – Find out when and where they apply in Australia!
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As ANZAC Day approaches, many Australians may be planning to hit the roads for a long weekend.
However, if your travels take you through certain jurisdictions in the country, you’ll want to be aware of double demerits per state and the territory laws that may come into play for the public holiday.
Aussies planning to take a long drive this upcoming ANZAC Day are being urged to drive carefully, as some states enforce double demerit point penalties.
However, not all jurisdictions in Australia have the same approach to double demerits.
This comes after police warned that they would be targeting speeding, using their mobile phones while driving, and seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences over the holiday period.
Last year, 1,187 people were killed while on the road, making this the highest number of fatalities since 2017. There have already been 312 deaths on Australian roads in the first three months of the year, and the police fear that the number could rise further in the coming days.
That being said, here’s everything you need to know about double demerits this ANZAC Day:
New South Wales and ACT
In NSW and the ACT, double demerits apply during ANZAC Day. Here, they come into effect from midnight on Friday, April 21, and run until midnight on Tuesday, April 25, with the extended period targeting people who will take Monday off to give themselves a long weekend.
Tracy Chapman, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, said the police aim to prevent injury and death this upcoming holiday.
‘Tragically, this year, 109 people have died on NSW roads – a concerning increase of 12 deaths compared to this time last year. Fatigue is a major contributor to road crashes, but police cannot take action against fatigue in the same way we would enforce something like speeding, so we have to rely on the public to do the right thing,’ she said.
She also added that a ‘split-second’s inattention’ caused by fatigue could be catastrophic, which is why the authorities are urging drivers to plan their trips carefully, take regular breaks and never get behind the wheel if they feel too tired to drive.
All traffic offences in NSW will incur double the usual demerit points, but the ACT is slightly different.
Most offences, such as speeding and drunk driving, receive a double penalty. However, ‘comparatively minor’ violations, such as failing to stay in the lane you’re supposed to be in, will incur a single extra demerit point instead.
Western Australia
Like the ACT and NSW, Western Australia usually has double demerits for public holidays.
However, double demerit penalties don’t apply for ANZAC Day this year. They will be back in place for public holidays later this year, starting from WA Day this June, and the King’s Birthday and Christmas.
Queensland
Meanwhile, Queensland approaches double demerits differently from NSW, ACT, and WA.
Rather than having them in place for all drivers during public holidays, Queensland has them in effect all year round – but only for drivers who commit the same offence twice within the span of 12 months.
This applies to speeding more than 20km/h over the limit and mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory
None of Victoria, SA, Tasmania and the NT will have double demerits in effect this ANZAC Day as part of their road safety strategies.
This means that penalties for offences incurred during the public holiday in these jurisdictions will be the same as those committed at any other time of the year.
The police, however, will be out in force.
Victoria Police will launch Operation Tribute from 12:01 am on Friday after two fatal motorcycle accidents occurred on Victorian roads last Wednesday.
Glenn Weir, Assistant Commissioner of road policing, said authorities would be targeting speed and impaired driving during this time.
He said: ‘ANZAC Day is another high-risk period on our roads, so police will be out during this time doing all we can to prevent road trauma. In addition to targeting speeding motorists, we’ll also be focusing on impaired drivers, as we tend to see a spike in drunk driving detections around ANZAC Day.’
‘There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel while you are alcohol or drug-affected.’
Whatever your plans are for the long weekend, always remember – safety comes first! Are you planning a trip this long weekend? Tell us about it in the comments below!
However, if your travels take you through certain jurisdictions in the country, you’ll want to be aware of double demerits per state and the territory laws that may come into play for the public holiday.
Aussies planning to take a long drive this upcoming ANZAC Day are being urged to drive carefully, as some states enforce double demerit point penalties.
However, not all jurisdictions in Australia have the same approach to double demerits.
This comes after police warned that they would be targeting speeding, using their mobile phones while driving, and seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences over the holiday period.
Motorists planning to hit the road this upcoming ANZAC Day are urged to drive safely and slow down. Credit: Tim Gouw/Pexels
Last year, 1,187 people were killed while on the road, making this the highest number of fatalities since 2017. There have already been 312 deaths on Australian roads in the first three months of the year, and the police fear that the number could rise further in the coming days.
That being said, here’s everything you need to know about double demerits this ANZAC Day:
New South Wales and ACT
In NSW and the ACT, double demerits apply during ANZAC Day. Here, they come into effect from midnight on Friday, April 21, and run until midnight on Tuesday, April 25, with the extended period targeting people who will take Monday off to give themselves a long weekend.
Tracy Chapman, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, said the police aim to prevent injury and death this upcoming holiday.
‘Tragically, this year, 109 people have died on NSW roads – a concerning increase of 12 deaths compared to this time last year. Fatigue is a major contributor to road crashes, but police cannot take action against fatigue in the same way we would enforce something like speeding, so we have to rely on the public to do the right thing,’ she said.
She also added that a ‘split-second’s inattention’ caused by fatigue could be catastrophic, which is why the authorities are urging drivers to plan their trips carefully, take regular breaks and never get behind the wheel if they feel too tired to drive.
Never use your mobile phone while driving. Credit: ArtHouse Studio/Pexels
All traffic offences in NSW will incur double the usual demerit points, but the ACT is slightly different.
Most offences, such as speeding and drunk driving, receive a double penalty. However, ‘comparatively minor’ violations, such as failing to stay in the lane you’re supposed to be in, will incur a single extra demerit point instead.
Western Australia
Like the ACT and NSW, Western Australia usually has double demerits for public holidays.
However, double demerit penalties don’t apply for ANZAC Day this year. They will be back in place for public holidays later this year, starting from WA Day this June, and the King’s Birthday and Christmas.
Queensland
Meanwhile, Queensland approaches double demerits differently from NSW, ACT, and WA.
Rather than having them in place for all drivers during public holidays, Queensland has them in effect all year round – but only for drivers who commit the same offence twice within the span of 12 months.
This applies to speeding more than 20km/h over the limit and mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory
None of Victoria, SA, Tasmania and the NT will have double demerits in effect this ANZAC Day as part of their road safety strategies.
This means that penalties for offences incurred during the public holiday in these jurisdictions will be the same as those committed at any other time of the year.
The police, however, will be out in force.
Victoria Police will launch Operation Tribute from 12:01 am on Friday after two fatal motorcycle accidents occurred on Victorian roads last Wednesday.
Glenn Weir, Assistant Commissioner of road policing, said authorities would be targeting speed and impaired driving during this time.
He said: ‘ANZAC Day is another high-risk period on our roads, so police will be out during this time doing all we can to prevent road trauma. In addition to targeting speeding motorists, we’ll also be focusing on impaired drivers, as we tend to see a spike in drunk driving detections around ANZAC Day.’
‘There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel while you are alcohol or drug-affected.’
