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New speeding penalties introduced
Every state in Australia has slightly different demerit schemes and the associated fines. From the 1st July, 2009 New South Wales road users have been subject to a new Demerit Point Scheme.
The Demerit Points Scheme allocates penalty points for a range of driving offences and results in the suspension of licences where the demerit points limit is exceeded. Full unrestricted licence holders are allocated 12 demerit points over a three year period, P2 licence holders are allocated 7 points and P1 licence holders are allocated 4 points.
The Minister for Roads Mr Daley who championed changes to the existing demerit point regime was motivated by the belief that the demerit point system could be fairer for motorist who inadvertently speed by just a few kilometres over the limit.
The new demerit point system reduces the demerit point penalty for people caught driving up to ten kilometres over the speed limit from three demerit points to one.
Accordingly, the new bands for unrestricted licence holders in the new demerit system are:
- 1 to 10kmh over the speed limit will attract one demerit point and an $84 fine.
- 11 to 20kmh over the speed limit will attract three demerit points and a $197 fine.
- 21 to 30kmh over the speed limit will attract four demerit points and a $338 fine.
- 31 to 45kmh over the speed limit will result in a three month suspension, attract five demerit points and a $647 fine.
- Over 45kmh over the speed limit will result in a six month suspension, six demerit points and a $1,744 fine.
The new demerit scheme will also affect p-platers. Under the old demerit point scheme P2 licence holders lost three demerit points if caught travelling 0 to 15kmh above the speed limit as well as a $81 fine. From the 1st July, 2009 P2 licence holders now lose 4 demerit points and receive a $84 fine if caught travelling 1 to 10kmh above the speed limit. P1 licence holders will now have their license suspended for three months if caught travelling 1 to 10kmh above the speed limit as well as a fine of $84.
The Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales has also confirmed that school zone offences will continue to incur one extra demerit point and an additional fine level.
