Understanding Double Demerit Points: A Road Safety Measure in Australia

By Michelle Lowden

Holidays are the time to enjoy, relax, and get together with your family and friends. It's the time to go for long drives and mini vacations. But when you’re out on the road for that drive, relax but don’t lose vigil. Or at least that’s what you should do. But in the holiday spirit, people often lose focus and stop paying attention to small things and basic rules of the road.

And that’s when accidents happen. Indeed, the number of accidents and offenses increases during the holidays. And so, the Australian government created a double demerits points system to try and control the rising number of road offenses and make the roads safer during the holidays. Here’s all you need to know about the double demerit points system in brief:

What are Double Demerit Points?

Double Demerit Points are an additional penalty given for certain traffic violations during specific holiday periods. Public holidays and festive seasons are the time when the roads see more traffic than usual. It also means the risk of accidents rises during these periods. So, to raise awareness and encourage drivers to become more responsible, the government doubled the penalty for certain offences. This system makes the drivers aware that they should be alert on the road. It also teaches them to take accountability for losing focus by paying penalties or getting demerits.

How Does This Work?

As explained earlier, in this system the penalty points for certain road offences are doubled during high-risk periods. This includes festivals and public holidays when more people take to the road to travel or take leisurely rides. When normally the penalty for these offences is not as high, it rises during the festive and holiday periods so that people become more alert while driving. However, in Queensland, this rule applies all year round and not just on the holidays. If people in Queensland commit a road offence repeatedly or within 12 months, they are given double demerits on second or subsequent offences.

What Offences Lead to Double Demerits?

So, what are the offences that merit double demerits in holiday periods? It’s those offences that are the most common when you’re celebrating and lose focus during the festive spirit. The most common violations are speeding, driving under the influence, and using mobile phones when driving. However, this list also includes offenses like not wearing a seatbelt or helmet and running red lights or stop signs.

What is the Outcome?

So, what happens when you reach the limit of double demerits or exceed it? Well, as with demerit points, exceeding the set limit of double demerits brings many penalties and can also lead to license suspension or disqualification. To continue being able to legally operate a vehicle, drivers must take care to stay as far away from double demerits as possible.

Does it Work?

Yes, the double demerit points system does work. It has proven quite effective in making drivers aware of their mistakes when driving without focus and encouraged them to become better, safer, and more responsible drivers. Novice drivers are now paying more attention to learning safe driving in courses like the Safer Drivers Course. Businesses are also turning to corporate driver training services and programs like low-risk driving courses to increase employee safety and improve their performance and efficiency.

Double Demerit Points serve as a reminder to drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws, contributing to a safer driving environment during holiday periods. They raise awareness regarding the rising concern of road accidents during the festivities and encourage drivers to stay alert and become more responsible drivers. Driving academies like Corporate Driver Training Australia offer various programs like low-risk driving courses to develop a safety-first approach to driving. Following some simple road rules and using safe driving practices can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and penalty-free holiday for all road users!

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