Motorists face double demerit points over Anzac Day

As Australians get ready to commemorate those who have served and died in military operations on Anzac Day on Thursday, those hitting the road are reminded to drive safely, with special police operations and double demerit points applying in some states.

NSW:

From Wednesday, April 24, to Sunday, April 28, drivers in NSW who are caught speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, not wearing a seatbelt or riding without a motorcycle helmet will have double demerit points added to their driving record.

The scheme is part of the Double Demerits - Enforcement road safety campaign that aims to encourage safe driver behaviour on NSW roads.

ACT:

Drivers in ACT will also be subject to double demerit points from Wednesday, April 24 to Sunday, April 28, ACT Policing confirmed.

VIC:

While Victoria will not have a double demerit point system in place over the Anzac Day period, or any other long weekends, Victoria Police has confirmed there will be a statewide road policing operation in place called Operation Tribune.

It will run in Victoria from 12.01am on Wednesday, April 24 to 11.59pm on Sunday, April 28 to coincide with the Anzac Day weekend period.

NT:

“In the Northern Territory, demerit points are administered by the Motor Vehicle Registry,” Superintendent Daniel Shean said.

“Unless the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics announces double demerit points for next week, this approach will not be applied in the Northern Territory.”

Superintendent Shean reminded all motorists that the Territory Road Policing Division could be “anywhere, anytime”.

“As always, Northern Territory Police will be focusing on road safety as well as targeting the fatal five: speeding, alcohol and illicit drugs, failure to wear a seatbelt, fatigue and driver distraction,” he said.

QLD:

Unlike other states and territories, double demerit points apply year round in Queensland, including outside holiday periods.

“People who repeatedly commit specific offences will receive double demerit points for the second or subsequent offence if the later offence was committed within 12 months of an earlier offence,” the Queensland government website reads.

“This doesn’t just apply during holiday periods but at any time of the year.”

Offences to which double demerit points may apply include speeding more than 20km/h over the speed limit, mobile phone offences, driver seatbelt offences, motor cycle offences and drivers failing to ensure passengers under 16 are appropriately restrained.

TAS:

Double demerit points are not issued in Tasmania, but police would continue to actively patrol the state’s roads and highways through a combination of high visibility and covert patrols, the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management confirmed.

WA:

While double demerits apply on most public holidays and long weekends in Western Australia, they don’t apply on Anzac Day.

SA:

There will be no double demerits imposed on drivers in South Australia on Anzac Day, which is in keeping with the state’s policy of no double demerits on public holidays.

However, police would conduct an operation called Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive, which will focus on road safety throughout the state, South Australia Police confirmed.

Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive will run from Thursday 25 April to Sunday 18 April.