When do double demerits start over this Easter long weekend?

Motorists are being warned to slow down and use caution as holidaymakers head out over the Easter long weekend.

Double demerit points and high fines will be imposed in several states as police look to crack down on dangerous driving behavior such as speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.

Double demerits are in force in NSW, ACT and Western Australia – for five consecutive days from Thursday, March 28 to Monday, April 1.

Double penalty points apply for speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, not wearing a seat belt and driving without a motorcycle helmet.

The NRMA is warning motorists in the NSW and ACT that mobile phone detection cameras will remain active during the double penalty period.

Drivers caught using their phones will be fined $352, or $469 if they are in a school zone, along with 10 demerit points.

N.S.W

Double demerits in NSW will come into effect from Thursday 28 March and will last until 11.59pm on Monday 1 April.

Motorists will receive double the points for speeding, illegally using their mobile phone, not wearing their seat belt and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

Under the scheme, which was first introduced in 1997, anyone caught speeding, talking on their mobile phone, driving without a helmet or not wearing a seat belt will lose double the normal number of points on their driving license and will receive he will be fined twice as much.

NSW Police say they will also target other risky driving behaviour, including the Four D’s: drink, drugs, dangerous and distracted driving.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT will also enforce the dual penalty system from Thursday until Easter Monday.

The nation’s capital will employ an almost identical double-point system.

It starts and ends at the same time as NSW and will mainly target speeding, motorists using their mobile phones, not wearing a seat belt and drivers without helmets.

For other traffic violations, an additional penalty point will be removed from your driver’s license.

Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be fined $352 ($469 in a school zone) and 10 demerit points.

An ACT Police spokesperson confirmed there will be an increased police presence on the roads this long weekend.

Western Australia

Police in WA will enforce double the penalty points from Thursday until Easter Monday.

Speeding, drink and drug driving and not wearing a seat belt will all be punished.

Using a mobile phone while driving, running a red light and not allowing toddlers to sit in a child seat is also punishable under the system.

Motorists will be hit with as many as 14 penalty points if they are caught with a device fitted to their vehicle designed to avoid speed cameras.

Driving a vehicle in a manner designed to avoid detection by a speed camera is also a criminal offence.

A spokesperson for the WA Road Safety Commission said there will be a heavy police presence on WA roads this long weekend.

Officers will look for speeding violations, driving under the influence and seat belt violations, among other things.

The state government said the measures were taken to protect motorists and pedestrians.

Queensland

Queensland has a permanent double points system which differs from the public holiday-based system in other states.

Drivers who commit repeat offenses in Queensland will be hit with tougher penalties.

In concrete terms, if a driver commits the same offense two or more times within a twelve-month period, double penalty points apply to the second and any subsequent offences.

Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania

Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a double points scheme.

But police in those areas will be active during the holidays.

Every state and territory will increase its police presence over the busy Easter holidays in a bid to reduce the toll on the country.