Double demerits in place from Friday ahead of long weekend

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The double demerit period for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend will commence as scheduled at 12.01am on Friday 23 September and remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday 26 September. 
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Two police cars and a booze bus on the road

Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner has confirmed the double demerit period for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend will commence as scheduled at 12.01am on Friday 23 September and remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday 26 September. 

Mr Warner said the Road Safety Commission did explore extending the period to include the one-off public holiday on Thursday 22 September but this is not possible under the current legislative framework.

Double demerit point periods are legislated under the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 and regulation 67 sets out the holiday periods during which they can apply. As the National Day of Mourning in honour of Her Majesty the Queen falls outside this scope, the double demerit period cannot be extended beyond the scheduled four days. 

Mr Warner urged Western Australians travelling on Thursday and right over the long weekend to drive with care, especially on regional roads.   

“Know the fatal five –  speeding, driving under the influence, not wearing a seatbelt, distraction (particularly mobile phones) and driving tired,” he said. 

“Above all else, be patient and focus on making every journey safe. 

“Don’t be in a hurry to get to your destination, don’t be in a hurry to overtake and don’t be tempted to push through when you’re tired.” 

For more information on double demerits visit our Double Demerits page