Motorists are being warned to slow down and take care as tourists hit the road over the Easter long weekend.
Double demerits and huge fines will be imposed in several states as police look to crack down on dangerous driving such as speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.
Double demerits apply in New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia, for five consecutive days from Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April inclusive.
Double demerit points apply for speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, not wearing a seat belt and driving without a motorcycle helmet.
The NRMA advises motorists in New South Wales and the ACT that mobile phone detection cameras remain active during the double demerit period.
Drivers caught using their phones will face a fine of $352, or $469 if in a school zone, along with 10 demerit points.
Drivers have been warned to stay safe on the roads as motorists generate interest over the long Easter weekend starting on Friday (file image pictured)
New south Wales
Double demerits in New South Wales will come into effect from Thursday 28 March and continue until 11.59pm on Monday 1 April.
Drivers will receive double points for speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, not wearing a seat belt and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Under the scheme first introduced in 1997, anyone caught speeding, talking on a mobile phone, driving without a helmet or without a seat belt will lose double the normal number of points on their license and receive a double fine.
NSW Police say they will also focus on other high-risk driver behaviours, including the four Ds: alcohol, drugs, dangerous and distracted driving.
Police (pictured) will award double demerit points in some states and territories to drivers for a variety of driving offences, including speeding and illegal use of a mobile phone.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT will also apply the double demerit system from the start of Thursday until Easter Monday.
The country’s capital will apply an almost identical double demerit scheme.
It will start and end at the same time as New South Wales and will have a particular focus on speeding offences, drivers using their mobile phones, those not wearing seatbelts and drivers without helmets.
Any further traffic offenses will result in the removal of an additional demerit point from your licence.
Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be fined $352 ($469 in a school zone) and 10 demerits.
An ACT Police spokesperson confirmed there will be an increased police presence on the roads this long weekend.
Motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and not wearing a seatbelt will also receive double demerit points (pictured, a police officer speaking to a driver).
Western Australia
WA Police will apply double demerit points from this Thursday until Easter Monday.
Excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failure to wear a seat belt will result in penalties.
Using a mobile phone while driving, running a red light and failing to put young children in a child restraint system will also be punishable offenses under the system.
Drivers will receive 14 demerit points if they are caught with a device installed in their vehicle designed to avoid speed cameras.
Driving a vehicle in a manner designed to avoid detection by radar is also a punishable offense.
A WA Road Safety Commission spokesperson said there will be a heavy police presence on WA roads over the long weekend.
Officers will focus on violations of speeding, driving under the influence and seat belt use.
The state government said measures are in place to protect motorists and pedestrians.
The mobile speed radars (in the photo) will also be operational during the Easter weekend
queensland
Queensland has a permanent double demerit system which differs from the holiday-based system of other states.
Repeat drivers in Queensland receive harsher penalties.
Specifically, if a driver commits the same offense two or more times in a 12-month period, double demerit points will be applied to the second offense and any subsequent offenses.
Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania
Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a double demerit scheme.
But police in those areas will be active during the holidays.
Each state and territory will increase its police presence during the busy Easter holidays in a bid to reduce the toll on the country’s roads.
Vehicle-mounted devices designed to avoid speed cameras will also attract double demerit points (pictured, a mobile speed camera signal)