A REVISED DEMERIT POINTS SCHEME for New South Wales, to be introduced on July 1, will bring some relief for drivers who stray over the posted limits, with the penalty for speeding up to 10km/h over the posted limited dropped from three demerit points to one.
Roads Minister Michael Daley said the Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW, had worked with the NSW Police and the State Debt Recovery Office to devise the new system, and introduce it as quickly as possible.
The Minister said that he asked the RTA to make the changes to the demerit point system its number one priority, with the July 1 introduction coming two months ahead of schedule.
“There is no such thing as safe speeding but I have always acknowledged that the system could be fairer for motorists who inadvertently speed by just a few kilometres over the limit,” he said.
“That’s why we’ve reduced the demerit-point penalty for people caught driving up to 10kmh from three points to one.
The Minister stressed that despite the leniency for lesser offences, the system is designed so that the higher the speed, the harsher the punishment.
“Make no mistake, anyone caught doing more than 10kmh over the limit is either deliberately speeding or not paying attention and these motorists will not escape lightly.”
From 1 July, the following demerit point system will apply for unrestricted licence holders:
- 1 to 10kmh over the speed limit: one demerit point and an $84 fine;
- 11 to 20kmh over the speed limit: three demerit points and a $197 fine;
- 21 to 30kmh over the speed limit: four demerit points and a $338 fine;
- 31 to 45kmh: three month suspension, five demerit points and a $647 fine;
Over 45kmh: six month suspension, six demerit points and a $1,744 fine.
Mr Daley said that while the new system is fairer on drivers, penalties for P2 drivers will be increased, with any P2 driver speeding over the limit from 1km/h to 30km/h to lose an additional point under the new rules.
“This means that P2 drivers will lose their licence on their second speeding offence and P1 drivers will continue to lose their licence for just one offence.”
To help drivers understand the new system, the RTA will launch an awareness campaign, including a letter to P plate drivers warning them of the tough new penalties.
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Great idea. We dont want the consistantly speeding offenders off the road now, when you can catch them 3 times as much now without sending them off the road, and at the same time get tripple the revenue…….
Revenue revenue revenue - thats what its all about
And I thought “speeding kills”. Should be “speeding pays”
This is bullshit ….. because before you could travel 10-15 km/h over the limit without the worry of getting booked by a highway patrol in NSW car because the general consensus was that the penalty for speeding 10km/h and under is too harsh….. but now they will book you because they believe the penalty is less harsh…. but at the end of the day your still losing some points compared to losing none………
This only helps people in NSW who are too stupid to read the speed camera signs and are getting booked by speed cameras
There will still be a problem at school zones without flashing lights, where at 8 10 am a driver not aware of the time will loose the points and pay a higher fine.
Flashing lights are needed at school zones and unmarked highway patrol to catch the speedsters.
What worries me, is that if you’re going to be fined for just 1km over the limit, then the car manufacturers will legally have to provide a certificate for every single car to state that the speedo is calibrated correctly, and provide DIGITAL speedo’s so the driver can accurately account for every 1km he/she is over the limit.
I mean, come on! how easy is it to travel 1km over the limit - it only takes a slight downward slope, and before you know it youre at 65!…
I think there will be a lot of claims back to manufactures, and this has the potential to get WAY out of hand.
The tables suggest you can be booked for doing 1 yes 1 kph over the posted limit.
That is unreasonable.
However my main problem is this.
Doing say 109 in a 100 zone not smart but OK
Doing 69 in a 60 zone Bad.
Doing 49 in a 40 zone Very Bad.
The speed limits are determined by the road conditions and or special areas such as school zones.
So surely the scale to determine punishment should reflect this.
Doing 109 on a freeway/tollway posted at 100 CANNOT be compared with doing 49 in a 40 school zone.
WHY do gov depts always take the easy option.
Long lunches, a few drinks, no brains, chauffeur drive home.
I wouldn’t say that
As usual the state government are making life harder for young drivers.
Typical though, punish everyone under 20 because of the stupid driving habits of the minority. How is this fair policy?
Does anyone know how they came up with this idea? I tell you How. That’s because what happened to me. When I lost nine 3+6 points double demerit points The Queens Birthday 2007. when I found out my car’s speedometer was faulty, just 4 days before the Court hearing I’m gald That night Higway Patrol stop me for speeding on 80 K, I was doin 80. I convinced him i was doin 80. He did not book me. He said if he wants he could. no wonder he stop me later on I found out, I was doin 90. I had Speedometer test done by specialized people in Lidcombe. I did not have anyone represent me at the court. I thought it’s a simple matter. I was shoked, when court was aginst my claim. I let it go. later on I decide to take it with local MP Ms. Tania GADIEL. some 14 months later. but at the time I was unable to get any help. Legal aid wont help on Traffic matters. So Four months later no response from Treasury. I had a few calls, but no responce at all. Then I wrote to Maxine McKew. She contacted to Tania GADIEL. On her behalf (M. McKew) her secretary send me a E-mail regarding my enquries. The letter was on it’s way from Treasury. so finally my enq. done some impact. Professional peopel like myself (Bus Driver) Truck, couriers, and cabbie drivers. Right now I do have only 2 points, I do not have guts to drive a bus that many hours a day. By the way I send documents to treasury office in Sydney, about Spedometer Calibration, and also at the time wrong size tire was fitted too. Speedometer before and after (picture) and new computer report print out. So It’s almost 3 months ago I send these doc’s with registered mail, they said they did not receive it. Maybe it’s been misplaced. The other day Australia Post send me a letter the documents been delivered on time. I call up Treasury Last friday, they did not call me back yet. I’m hoping they will, and give my 9 points back.
Ermington.
if i recal i was led to believe that the ADR allowed for a 10% variance on all car speedometers as theres no way to garentee, due to tire wear and road conditions that youll be doing exactly the speed your spedometer is displaying