Urgent warning of hefty fines that come into force tomorrow as police ramp up patrols ahead of Australia Day
- Australians who drive across the states risk running into double faults over Christmas
- NSW and ACT are running double draws from 24th December to 3rd January
- The double faults chart in Western Australia runs from the same day until January 9th
- In Queensland, drivers are subject to a double vulnerability for repeat traffic offences
Drivers were warned to be very careful as double faults were brought up on Australia Day.
For those in NSW and the ACT, double defects will be in effect from 12.01am on Wednesday to 11.59pm on Sunday.
The change means that drivers caught committing a certain offense on the road will face double the demerit points for that offense.
Australians risk receiving twice the normal number of points on their license if they break the rules of the road over the Christmas period (file photo)
It applies to speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, failure to wear a seat belt, and riding without a motorcycle helmet.
Drivers are urged to keep in mind that cell phone detection cameras are active and drivers caught using their phones during a double deficiency will be subject to a $352 fine ($469 in school district) and 10 demerits.
Dubbed Australia Day, law enforcement officers will conduct heavy patrols looking for drivers who break the rules.
A NSW Police spokesperson said: “Double defects will be applied during the operation, and additional police will be deployed across the state, in both regional and metro areas, to keep the community safe during the busy period.”
NRMA has warned drivers that school zones and the 40 km/h limit will be activated on Friday.
In Queensland, there is no specific double negative scheme for Christmas.
But as part of a year-round system, drivers will still get two points if they commit an offense for which they have already been fined in the past 12 months.
Victoria, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and South Australia do not have double vulnerability systems.
But authorities in all of those states and territories have urged motorists to drive safely.
NSW and the ACT punished traffic offences, with double points, from 12.01am on 24 December to 11.59pm on 3 January (file photo of a traffic stop on Moore Park Road in Sydney)
“Drivers are reminded that additional penalties may apply for certain offenses committed in school zones,” said an NRMA spokesperson.
Queensland’s double partial points system will remain in operation, with drivers penalized with double points throughout the year if they commit a second or subsequent offense within 12 months.
Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory will not have a double points system, with the usual penalties applied to drivers.
Western Australia, which applies double demerits to drivers on other public holidays, does not have the system in place for the Australia Day period.
