Reduce the Fine Double the Demerit Points

Tuesday, 29 May 2012 18:24

Fines are being reduced for some speeding motorists in South Australia but demerits points will double, under changes announced by the SA Government. The current fine is $260 for being caught exceeding the speed limit by less than 10 kilometres per hour. That will be reduced to $150 but two licence demerit points will be recorded.

Fines will also be reduced but demerit points increased for speeding offences 15-45 kph above the limit.

SA Police Minister Jennifer Rankine thinks the higher demerit points will be an effective deterrent to speeding, as drivers could face the prospect of losing their licence twice as fast as before.

Professor Mary Lydon, of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at Adelaide University, says increasing demerit points recognises the higher risk of injury from higher speeds.

"For average drivers who would exceed the limit between nought and 10, the licence is a very valuable item and so the demerit points, it's not a reduction in penalty, it's really a serious penalty and serious deterrent to those people," she said.

In South Australia police data shows 38 per cent of speeding fines issued last year were for offending by less than 10kph above the limit and about 79 per cent were for speeding by less than 15 kph above the limit.

Do you believe double demerit points work?

Should we look at following South Australia’s lead?

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