In a key initiative to promote road safety, more than 13,000 drivers in North Sydney have benefited from having a demerit point removed from their licenses, as part of a statewide campaign to encourage responsible driving.
Enhanced Road Safety in North Sydney
North Sydney, with its 76,020 license holders, has led to significant results in the NSW Government’s effort to improve road behaviour. According to Minister for Roads John Graham, “North Sydney drivers have responded commendably to our safety initiatives, with 13,069 motorists successfully maintaining a clean record and benefiting from the demerit point removal. This not only enhances individual driving records but also contributes broadly to road safety.”
State-Wide Impact and Continued Efforts
The demerit point removal program is part of a broader campaign targeting over one million NSW drivers who have kept a clean driving slate over the past 12 months. This initiative was designed in response to the alarming rise in road fatalities, which reached 369 deaths in the past year.
The program was conceived as an election promise to shift the focus from penalising to rewarding drivers, which has seen widespread participation across the state.
Additional Insights from Broader NSW
Data from other parts of NSW also shows substantial benefits from the program. The Central Coast, for instance, had the highest number of drivers receiving a demerit point back, totalling 54,971. Western Sydney regions like Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Liverpool, and Parramatta also saw significant numbers of points removed, reinforcing the program’s reach and impact across diverse communities.
As Minister Graham further elaborated, “The reward of a demerit point removed has proven most valuable in areas where people heavily depend on their cars. This incentive for safe driving is making a tangible difference, with fewer fatalities and more responsible driving behaviours emerging as a result.”
Looking ahead, the NSW Government plans to extend the demerit point trial for another year while introducing stricter road safety measures. These include the integration of seatbelt enforcement through mobile phone detection cameras and an expansion in the number of mobile speed camera locations. These efforts underline the government’s commitment to reducing road tolls and enhancing driver safety across the state.
Published 4-June-2024