Young drivers on a fast track to losing their licence

24 December 2010

As the Christmas double-demerits period kicks in, research by the RAC has shown that the majority of young drivers are deliberately ignoring speed limits.
 
A survey of the RAC’s free2go members (aged 17-19) revealed that seven out of 10 young drivers admitted to exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h or more.
 
With the new graduated demerit point system for novice drivers now in place, first year drivers risk automatically losing their licence for one speeding offence this Christmas.
 
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said young drivers should be aware that the new system gives them no margin for error during double-demerit periods.
 
“Under the new graduated demerits points system, drivers in their first year on the road will lose their licence if they accrue four demerit points,” Mr Brown said.
 
“Under normal circumstances, exceeding the speed limit by between nine and 19km/h sees you accrue two demerit points.
 
“Double demerits means that same offence will see you lose your licence automatically.
 
“This is the first double-demerit period under the new graduated system. The message to young drivers is clear: If you speed this Christmas you will lose your licence.”
 
Mr Brown said the RAC supported the provision of additional resources from the Road Trauma Trust Fund to the WA Police for additional enforcement efforts over the holiday period.
 
“All motorists need to understand that the police are on a mission to keep our roads safe this Christmas,” Mr Brown said.
 
“If you speed or drink and drive you will be caught and will be punished,” he said.
 
Double demerits are in place from 24 December to 9 January.

Dowload the release (pdf)