Drive Safely: Double Demerits Enforced During Easter Long Weekend

Double Demerit Points in Effect for Easter Long Weekend in Several Australian States

As the Easter long weekend kicks off, several Australian states and territories have implemented double demerit points to ensure road safety. The initiative, which began at midnight on Thursday, April 2, applies in New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. These double demerits will remain in place throughout the Easter break, covering the four consecutive public holidays from Friday, April 3, to 11:59pm Monday, April 6. Travelers from these jurisdictions will also be subject to double demerits if they are driving interstate.

While Queensland enforces double demerit points year-round for certain offenses, states like South Australia, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania do not have such schemes.

Double Demerit Points Applicability by State or Territory

In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, double demerit points are applicable for offenses like speeding, illegal mobile phone use, failure to wear a seatbelt, and riding a motorcycle without a helmet. In Western Australia, these points also apply for drink- or drug-driving and running a red light.

Law enforcement agencies in these regions, such as NSW Police, are conducting Operation Easter to crack down on speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt violations, and non-compliance with helmet regulations for motorcyclists and cyclists.

The road toll in New South Wales has increased to 88 fatalities year-to-date, prompting authorities to emphasize safe driving practices to prevent further tragedies.

Similarly, Western Australia has recorded 45 fatalities as of March 31, 2026, down from the previous year. To reinforce road safety during the Easter period, WA Police will deploy a new fleet of BMW X5 SUVs.

Both NSW and WA Police will focus on addressing the ‘Fatal Five’ causes of road accidents: speeding, seatbelt violations, fatigue, distractions, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

While Victoria does not have a double demerits system, Victoria Police has launched Operation Nexus to enforce speed limits rigorously, especially during high-traffic weekends like Easter.

Australia has witnessed a concerning 18.7% increase in road fatalities over the past year, with the 2025 total marking a 1.7% rise compared to the previous year. The Australian Automobile Association has raised concerns over the continuous rise in road deaths, urging a reassessment of the federal government’s road safety strategy.