The Easter long weekend for 2024 is almost upon us, and plenty of Aussies will be out and about at the end of March, travelling to visit loved ones or making the most of a quiet long-weekend.
But amid the joy of the holiday, drivers are urged to remember Easter is one of the busiest and most dangerous times on Australia’s roads.
Police will be out in force patrolling, while some states will also be handing out double demerits for offending drivers.
Here’s what you need to know in each state and territory.
Should the Double Demerits scheme be rolled out nationally?
Double demerits in NSW, WA and the ACT
New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory will have double demerits in place between Thursday March 28 and Monday April 1 this year.
Drivers busted doing the wrong thing will face extra demerit points being docked from their licence, although most fines will remain the same.
The double demerit point scheme will apply for speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and riding without a helmet.
What is the risk if drivers do this at a pedestrian crossing?
Queensland runs double demerits a little differently.
Unlike states that increase the severity of punishment over busier, more dangerous times on the road, they have a system in place year-round.
Double demerits apply to people who have committed a second road offence within a year of committing another.
If you’ve had a clear record for more than 12 months, demerits are issued as normal.
Police have warned that drivers don’t have to be committing the same offence as they did the previous time to be hit with double demerits.
Fines will not be doubled.
Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania
Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a double demerits scheme so penalties will be as per usual this weekend.
However, extra police officers will be patrolling the roads over the Easter long weekend.
