ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman, is urging motorists to drive safely over the 2016 festive period and warns that ACT Policing will be targeting those that choose to do the wrong thing. The Minister explained that double demerit points are effective from the first instance on Friday, 23 December 2016 until midnight on Monday, 2 January 2017 inclusive, and will apply on all speed and seatbelt offences, use of a mobile phone while driving, driving with a passenger in or on part of the vehicle not designed for carriage of passengers or goods and riding a motorbike without a helmet, Any other offences listed in schedule 1 of the Australian Road Rules which hold demerit points will incur 1 extra demerit point.
“Enjoy yourself this holiday period, but remember the tragic consequences that can come from drinking and driving or allowing you to be distracted whilst on the roads. No text message or phone call is worth somebody’s life,” Minister Gentleman said “If you are travelling interstate, don’t drive when fatigued and remember to take regular rest breaks every two hours. The ACT road toll for 2016 currently sits at ten and that is ten too many – take your time and arrive safely,” Minister Gentleman concluded