Aussie drivers to get demerit point wiped off their records within weeks – here’s who’s eligible
More than a million Australian drivers are about to have their records taken off their record books, in a welcome move for motorists.
About 1.3 million drivers in NSW will have a penalty point removed within five weeks as part of the one-year points scheme.
The trial of the one-year scheme was rolled out to encourage safe driving and will end on January 17, 2024.
To be eligible, drivers must not have committed any violations since January 17 this year.
To erase a penalty point from a driving record, it normally takes three years.
1.3 million drivers in NSW will have a penalty point removed within five weeks as part of the one-year points scheme
To be eligible, drivers must not have committed any violations since January 17 this year
The NSW Government announced in June that the scheme would be moved up six months early, allowing drivers to be rewarded earlier for good behaviour.
At the time of the announcement, about 1.7 million NSW motorists were eligible, with almost 400,000 of those having since been hit with at least one penalty point.
“The demerit point test is all about reducing tolls,” NSW Roads Minister John Graham said on Monday.
“I am deeply concerned about the number of lives being lost on NSW roads. In other states, road tolls are rising, so this is a shared problem across the country.”
The government advocates that motorists use the penalty points scheme as an incentive to drive safely.
“The toll (in NSW) this year is 349 people. It is a concerning increase,” Graham said.
'We urge all drivers to head into the end of the year and the summer holidays as safely as possible, when many of us are driving long distances.'
Erasing a penalty point from a driving record normally takes three years
“The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be,” said NSW Roads Minister John Graham (pictured centre) along with Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison (pictured left)
In the last 12 months to December 14, there was an increase of 61 deaths on NSW roads compared to the previous 12 months.
“The criminal case is an important carrot for them to maintain a clean record over the last five weeks of the trial period,” Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said.
“If all 1.3 million motorists drive safely and within the speed limit, we will see fewer deaths at a time when we need to focus on turning the toll around.”
Ms Aitchison reminded holiday and party drivers to follow the speed limit, take regular breaks, have a plan B if they drink and obey signs.
“Simple actions like wearing your seat belt and putting away your phone can save your life or the life of another road user,” she said.
'Be especially careful around bends, where more than half of all road deaths in rural areas occur.'
The NSW Government is investing almost $2.6 billion in road safety programs such as seat belt compliance.
“As well as improved infrastructure, education and funding for police operations,” Minister Graham said.
'Our message is crystal clear: drive safely and you will have a point removed from your driving licence. The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be,” he said.
The public has embraced the process and it will remain in place through 2024.