Double demerits...

[Gob]

Double demerit points in force this ANZAC weekend
Released 23/04/2010

Drivers who speed or break the road rules in the ACT will be hit with double demerit points this long weekend, Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, said today.

"More people will be on the roads this weekend which means the risk of road accidents is higher.

"Double demerit points will apply for speeding and seatbelt offences from Friday 23 April to Monday 26 April 2010 inclusive," said Mr Stanhope.

He encouraged drivers to take regular rest breaks, share the driving, stay within the speed limit and exercise caution on unfamiliar roads.

"If drivers exceed the speed limit this ANZAC Day long weekend by 16km/h to 30 km/h they can lose 6 demerit points, while exceeding the speed limit by 31km/h to 45km/h can result in 8 demerit points being lost.

"Drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 45km/h can lose 12 demerit points and risk having their licence suspended."

Mr Stanhope said the loss of six points can also be applied to the licence of any driver not wearing a seatbelt or a driver who permits children to travel in a vehicle without being restrained.

He said drivers who commit other offences such as running red lights or failing to stop at a stop sign would be penalised an additional one extra demerit point.

"Road safety is always important, but at times like this long weekend, when more people are on the road, we need to pay extra attention to driving safely."

Mr Stanhope said those intending to celebrate ANZAC Day with a few drinks should plan their transport home before the celebration, arrange for a designated driver, or take a taxi.

"I urge all drivers to pay extra attention to the driving conditions, to slow down and to not drink and drive."

http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=9413

Luckily I remembered this was on for the long weekend,when I was driving into work ths morning, as there was a sneaky speed camera van parked on my route!

[The Hen]

Thank god for that. You already lost 2 points the other weekend when we went mushroom hunting ... to no avail.

Ha. You had a clean license over in the UK. I told you it wouldn't be that way out here.

[Gob]

One point!

[The Hen]

Fairy nuff.

It was 6 points mum took for me in one hit when we were returning from the Coast at Christmas. Silly beggar, her.

I was more than happy to take the fine and the bloody points and she wore it all herself.

(I guess she had a magic Christmas then?)

[dales]

How long do those points stay on your driving record?

In CA, most moving violations (except DUI, Vehicular Manslaughter [personslaughter?], gross vehicular negligence stay on one's record for 3 years.

By attending traffic school (which I used to teach) one can have a point erased (if not within 18 months of the last violation).

One's auto ins costs shoot thru the roof, too.

[Gob]

How it Works

Demerit points are a penalty that may be imposed when you commit a traffic offence.

When issued a driver licence, you start with zero (0) demerit points recorded against your driver licence and demerit points are then accumulated for offences committed where demerit points are applicable.

If you accumulate or exceed the maximum allowable demerit point threshold for your licence type, within a three (3) year period, your licence will be subject to a period of suspension.

For example, if you hold a Full ACT Driver Licence, for which the allowable demerit points threshold is twelve, your licence will be demerit point suspended if you accumulate twelve or more demerit points within a three (3) year period.

The three year period is calculated by the date of the offence. This means that if you incur an infringement, the demerit points associated with this infringement will count towards the three year period either side of the offence. If you accumulate more than your allowed demerit points within these periods, your driver licence will be suspended.

The more demerit points that are accumulated within the three year period, the longer the period of suspension that is applied.

While demerit points only count towards a suspension for a three year period, infringements are permanently recorded in the driver licence history.

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/infringement ... emerit.htm

Third party insurance is a part of car rego here Dales, though fully comp insurance would probably take a big swinge..

Offence Penalty Points
Exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h or more 6 points


Exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h, but less than 45 km/h 4 points


Disobeying a traffic signal 3 points


Disobeying major regulatory traffic control sign or Police directing traffic 3 points


Failing to give way 3 points


Failing to stop and/or give way at pedestrian, school or level crossing 3 points


Driving with unrestrained passengers under legal age including children and infants 3 points


Driving contrary to a major defect notice 3 points


Driving on wrong side of double lines or divided highway 3 points


Exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h but less than 30 km/h 3 points


Driving without seat belt 3 points


Motorcyclists not wearing a helmet 3 points


Careless/negligent driving 3 points


Using a Hand Held Mobile Phone while driving 3 points


Improper overtaking and passing 2 points


Turning or stopping without signalling 2 points


Turning improperly 2 points


Failing to keep left 2 points


Driving contrary to a minor defect notice 2 points


Failure to dip headlamps 1 point


Following too closely 1 point


Driving at night without headlamps on 1 point


Exceeding the speed limit by less than 15 km/h 1 point

[dales]

thx, Gob....

Similar in many respects to California.

[Gob]

Here's the outcome of Double Demerit long weekend

ACT Policing is pleased the roads remained fatality-free over the Anzac Day long weekend, despite issuing 55 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) for a range of traffic offences.

Of the 55 TINs issued over the long weekend, 26 were for speeding, including a 40-year-old female driver from Gungahlin who was caught driving 115km/hr in a 80km/hr zone on Saturday (24 April) along Gungahlin Drive, Palmerston. She will lose eight demerit points for exceeding the speed by over 30km/hr.

Acting Superintendent Jeff Knight of Traffic Operations said these results were disappointing, with 11 drivers losing six demerits points after exceeding the speed limit by 15km/hr.

“Double demerit periods are a common occurrence with police targeting speeding and seatbelt offences. It is astounding that drivers continue to speed despite being forewarned about the consequences,” Acting Superintendent Knight said.

“Speed limits are in place for a reason. Exceeding them not only risks your own life, but also other road users in the community.”

Police also conducted more than 736 random breath tests over the four days, with 9 people returning positive readings. This included a 22-year-old Fraser man who recorded a BAC of 0.234 early Monday morning (26 April) in Gungahlin, and a 19-year-old Fisher woman who recorded a BAC of 0.118 early Friday morning (23 April) on London Circuit.

Both drivers were subject to a blood alcohol limit of 0.02, and will face the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date.

http://afp.gov.au/media_releases/act/20 ... roads.html