The Australia Day weekend has begun, and police are already warning drivers to stay safe on the roads as harsher penalties for breaking road rules come into force today.
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Police will be enforcing double demerits for five full days, with the extra penalty period set to expire Tuesday, January 26 at midnight.
Speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences will incur extra demerit point penalties; however, the fines stay the same. Officers will also be conducting roadside breath and drug tests.
For Learner and P1 licence holders, any offence will see their license suspended, depending on the severity, the suspension period will vary.
Mobile Phone Detection Cameras are expected to be out in force, with a $457 fine and ten demerits for drivers caught with their hands on a phone.
This will also be the first double demerits period where mobile speed cameras won't have warning signs.
All mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW will soon have their high-visibility decals either entirely removed or reduced as well.
Active demerits points remain on your record for a total of three years and four months.
"Police will be targeting poor driving behaviour or people just not listening to what the road rules are," Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said.
"We all understand that speed, alcohol and drugs are some of the main factors towards collisions.
"For that reason, we'll be out there in mass, and we will be doing our random breath testing, and we will be doing our random drug testing as well as speed enforcement - not just on arterial roads but also on the regional and coastal roads as well.
"So, if you're going to speed this weekend you're more than likely going to get caught by police."
