NSW drivers who maintain a clean record for one year will have one demerit point removed from their licence, according to new legislation passed this week.
The reform of the state’s demerit point system allows drivers who do not accumulate any demerit points between January 17, 2023, and January 17, 2024, to have one previously earned demerit point erased from their record.
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Normally, it takes three years for demerit points to expire.
The government hopes that this trial, passed on Wednesday, will benefit over 1.7 million drivers by promoting safer behavior on NSW roads.
The trial only applies to full-licence holders, excluding learner and provisional licence holders.
Eligible drivers can expect to see one demerit point removed from mid-April 2024, as driving offenses take about three months to be finalized.
Roads Minister John Graham stated that the government is “trialling something new, the carrot and the stick.”
Graham added, “The demerit trial is an important incentive for drivers to remain offense-free for a 12-month period, and we will closely monitor the results to see if it provides a net safety benefit for motorists, pedestrians, and communities.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns believes that this trial encourages drivers to make responsible choices and adds an incentive to the licence system, rather than relying solely on deterrents and demerit points to promote road safety.
Minns stated, “Reducing the road toll and rewarding safe driving across the state is the aim of this trial, and I am pleased that the parliament agreed with bipartisan support. It’s time we prioritize safety in our road rules, not revenue-raising.”
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