Australians hitting the road for the King’s Birthday long weekend are being reminded to put safety first with double demerits set to kick off in some jurisdictions.
Police will be targeting a range of unsafe behaviours including speeding, mobile phone use, motorcyclists not wearing helmets and seatbelt offences.
But not every state or territory has double demerit points.
If you are caught by police committing a driving offence, it will cost you twice the licence points.
Here’s what you need to know if you plan to hit the road this weekend.
New South Wales and the ACT
Police will target speeding, mobile phone use, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or restraint during double demerit periods.
Western Australia does use a double demerits scheme, but most parts of the state don’t celebrate the King’s Birthday long weekend this year until Monday, September 29.
Road rules operate as normal this weekend.
In Queensland, double demerit points apply all year round.
However the scheme is in place for drivers who commit the same offence twice in the space of 12 months.
This applies for offences such speeding more than 20km/h over the limit, mobile phone use, seatbelt offences and motorcycle helmet offences.
Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania
None of these jurisdictions make use of a double demerits scheme.
However, police will still be out in force during the upcoming long weekend in each one,.
Drivers are urged to take care and follow the road rules.
