Double demerit points begin in New South Wales today and will apply until January 1 for speeding, seatbelt and helmet offences
December 20, 2012
Drivers in New South Wales caught breaking road laws risk being hit with double demerit points from today as part of police efforts to keep the road toll low over the Christmas period.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay says double demerits for speeding, seatbelt and helmet offences will begin at midnight today and run until midnight on January 1.
“The biggest killer on our roads is speeding. Each year about 40 percent of crashes involve excessive or inappropriate speed,” Gay says.
He has also highlighted fatigue as a significant concern.
“Anyone heading off on a long trip should take plenty of breaks and avoid driving when they would normally be sleeping,” Gay says.
He says drivers should expect delays over the holiday period due to an increase in traffic volumes and a number of road upgrades currently underway.
Gay says highways including the F3, Pacific Highway, Princes Highway, Great Western Highway and Hume Highway usually experience a rise in traffic volumes of up to 100 percent at this time of year.
Delays are expected on the Pacific Highway at Hexham, Bulahdelah, Macksville, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga, Woodburn and Bangalow.
Gay says special care should be taken on the Pacific Highway in upgrade areas around Bulahdelah, Herons Creek, Kempsey, from Sapphire to Woolgoolga, north of Coffs Harbour, Tabbimobile and from Tintenbar to the Byron Bay turnoff.
“In particular, queuing and delays can be expected on the northbound approach to Bulahdelah, Kempsey and Macksville and motorists should try to avoid these areas around midday as delays can be quite lengthy,” he says.
Motorists travelling south should also expect delays on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail, Berry, Nowra, Milton/Ulladulla and Batemans Bay. Motorists travelling west should also expect delays heading over the Blue Mountains on the Great Western Highway.
