Tag Archives: demerit points

Safe driving this Christmas

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car driving on road

Drive safely this holiday season

This time of year is always one of the most high risk times on our roads, with Christmas parties, end of year celebrations and people taking to the highways as they head off for a well-deserved break.

In NSW drink driving is a factor in around one in every five fatal crashes. This statistic astounds me when you consider just how much information is out there on the dangers of drink driving.

Drink Driving
The message is plain and simple, having any amount of alcohol when driving increases the risk of being involved in a crash. You don’t have to be drunk to have been affected by alcohol, which is why if you are planning on driving, the best advice is to not drink at all.

If you are hosting a party this Christmas and new year here are some things you can do to look after your guests so they get home safely:

  • Make sure you provide plenty of food, soft drinks and water
  • Offer to let your guests stay over and
  • Don’t let guests drive home if they have been drinking.

Driver Fatigue
Tiredness is another major killer on our roads. At this time of year many people are driving long distances on unfamiliar roads and often people leave for their holiday in the early hours of the morning to avoid traffic – it means they are driving when their body is programmed to sleep.

The statistics show if you drive between 10pm and dawn you’re four times more likely to have a fatal, fatigue-related crash.

Some tips:

  • Plan ahead
  • Take regular breaks (see NSW Driver Reviver locations)
  • Share the driving
  • Don’t start a long trip after a long day’s work and never drive when you would normally be asleep. Fighting tiredness won’t work – the only cure is sleep.

Wear your seatbelt
It’s remarkable how many people still don’t wear their seatbelts. Many fatalities could have been prevented if only the driver and passengers were wearing their seatbelts. Often it’s not just you that needs to buckle up, so make sure your kids are properly secured in a child restraint.

Roadwork speed limits
If you’re driving along the Pacific Highway, remember roadwork speed limits still apply although works have stopped for the Christmas break. While there may be some inconvenience during this time, the NRMA is pleased that the Government is getting on with the project to deliver the Highway by 2016.

Travelling on country roads
For those of you travelling on country roads, keep in mind that the road conditions are not like local areas. Be extremely careful of:

  • Potholes and rough surfaces
  • Soft or broken road edges
  • Single lane bridges or road surfaces that change without notice
  • Livestock and wildlife  - they often cross country roads, particularly just near sunrise or sunset which is why it is crucial that you drive to the conditions.

Petrol Prices
The NRMA will be working over the Christmas period to monitor petrol prices and there will be no justification for any sudden Christmas price hike.

Please remember, each and everyone of us are responsible for keeping our roads safe this Christmas.

Have a safe and merry Christmas.

Is it time to change the demerit system?

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A recent NRMA survey showed 62% of people supported reducing the amount of time demerit points are kept on a licence from three years to a proposed two and a huge 95% supported reducing the cost of licence renewals for drivers with a clean record (this is successfully being used in other states within Australia).

The survey also found 53% supported increasing the number of demerit points on a full NSW licence from 12 to 13.

The NRMA is also calling on the NSW Government to consider a system currently being used in London, where drivers booked for a low-range traffic offence can forgo the fine and demerit points if they attend a one-day driver training course at their own expense.

Each motorist will be given this option once every three years.

Would you take up this option if it was offered?

Considering the demerit system was introduced in NSW almost 40 years ago, the NRMA believes it is time for a change. Do you agree? 

Or do you think the system is fair just the way it is?

 * Find out more about the NSW demerit system

Road rules in shopping centres

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Road rules don’t only cover the roads we drive on – they also cover road related areas that are open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking and this includes shopping centres.

Consequently these road related areas are covered by parking, speed limit, overtaking and signage rules.

It also means you can be penalised for breaking them. For example, driving over the speed limit could result in being fined and losing demerit points. So, if you are doing 40km/h in a 20km/h zone, you will be eligible for a $197 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points.

You will also be penalised accordingly for not giving way where appropriate, for double-parking and for driving against the direction indicated on a one-way sign.

Shopping centres can enforce parking infringements, however all other rules must be enforced by the police.

View Rule 13 from Road Rules 2008 for more information.

What do you think of driver behaviour in shopping centre car parks? Should there be stronger enforcement of the road rules in ‘road related areas’ like car parks?

Safety cameras – Combining red-light and speed cameras

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Over the next four years, the RTA is replacing existing red-light cameras with safety cameras at 200 locations across NSW.

In December 2009, the RTA began to combine red-light cameras with fixed speed cameras at 50 locations across the state. The safety camera is capable of detecting speeding vehicles, vehicles running red lights, or both.

No new ‘combined’ offences have been created. Drivers will face a penalty notice and associated demerit points for each offence committed.

Safety cameras are being introduced to make intersections safer and reduce the number of crashes at traffic lights.

According to the RTA, “Evaluations of camera enforcement of red-light offences conducted in Australia and overseas have shown this type of enforcement is clearly effective in reducing casualty crashes at intersections. When the evaluations were considered together it is estimated that camera enforcement of red-light offences reduces the number of casualty crashes at intersections by around 30 per cent.”

Intersections with safety cameras will be signposted accordingly. However, motorists need to be aware that there is only one sign warning of the new safety camera, unlike existing fixed speed cameras which have three warning signs in advance.

For more information, please visit the RTA’s Safety camera page.

Will safety cameras reduce the number of crashes at intersections? Will they make you slow down?

The use of ‘Bus’ and ‘Bus only’ lanes

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A number of major roads in Australian cities have ‘bus lanes’. First introduced on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1992, the number of these dedicated lanes continues to increase. They are a proven method of relieving congestion in and around the city – where most cars can carry one driver and up to four passengers, a bus can carry up to fifty passengers. By keeping these lanes for buses a relatively clear run for commuters is ensured.

‘Bus lanes’ can be used by buses, taxis, public hire cars, motorcycles, bicycles and emergency vehicles. Other motorists can be fined for travelling in a bus lane unless it’s for a short distance (i.e. before you’re about to turn at an intersection or into a driveway) or crossing the lane from a side street or driveway.

Road users should be aware that there are also ‘bus only lanes’, such as those on the Liverpool to Parramatta T-way route in south western Sydney and the North-West T-way that operates between Parramatta and Rouse Hill. These are signposted accordingly.

Incorrect use of a ‘bus lane’ or ‘bus only lane’ will result in a fine and loss of demerit points. There are cameras in place and police regularly patrol these lanes. If you are caught driving in a ‘bus lane’, the fine is $238.00 and 3 demerit points.

Other rules for bus priority

The use of the B indicator at traffic lights is utilised by buses to allow the bus to move more freely around traffic and to give the bus right of way in order to keep to its timetable.

Another thing to be mindful of is the buses’ exception rule which allows buses to travel straight ahead from a turning lane. This rule also gives them the right of way when pulling away from a kerb after alighting or picking up passengers from a bus stop.

For more information and bus lane locations, visit the RTA website.

Are bus lanes a good idea? Have you been fined for using a bus lane? Should there be more in and around the CBD?