Double demerit glitch to hit NSW drivers

Hundreds of drivers will get a rude shock and some may even lose their licence, with
NSW authorities poised to strip them of demerit points for offences during the
October long weekend.
Because of an administrative error, some drivers caught doing the wrong thing over
the recent long weekend escaped a double demerit point penalty.
The State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) is writing to those drivers to notify them
that the correct penalty will be now be applied.
Double demerit points are widely publicised over the various holiday periods as part
of the effort to crackdown on speeding, drink driving and other traffic offences.
While it was not known exactly how many drivers would be stripped of the extra
points, the glitch involved a printing batch of about 3,900 penalty and reminder
notices, Office of State Revenue spokeswoman Therese Briggs said.
"The State Debt Recovery Office issues about three million notices a year, so this
is a small group that's been affected," Ms Briggs said.
"The fines are not affected at all, it's just this printing error that notified a
standard demerit point instead of a double demerit point during a long weekend
period."
Ms Briggs admitted some drivers would lose their licences if the penalty correction
pushed them over the 12-point threshold.
"Any person that receives a demerit point is in exactly that situation - they may be
pretty close to the limit," she said.
Those with questions about the penalty corrections can call the Office of State
Revenue on 1300 138 118.
Drivers are penalised three demerit points for exceeding a speed limit by less than
15 kilometres per hour, with a total of 12 points within two years resulting in
cancellation of their licence.
With points penalties commonly doubled during long-weekend holidays, this can mean a
driver loses his or her licence for just two minor offences.
In November, Roads Minister Michael Daley said the government would reduce the
demerit points for minor speeding offences.