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Sky News AU
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Sky News AU
Double demerit points come into force: Everything motorists need to know for the King's Birthday long weekend
Double demerit points will kick in from Friday across parts of the country for the King's Birthday long weekend, as police come out in force to crack down on road safety. Police are urging motorists to take extra care while driving over the next couple of days, as the number of lives lost on Australian roads continue to climb. While double demerit point schemes differ depending on the state or territory, police will be rolling out patrols to ensure road rules are being followed. Here's everything motorists need to know this long weekend. New South Wales In New South Wales, double demerit points will come into effect from 12am on Friday and remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday. Police will be targeting speeding drivers and motorcycle riders, as well as motorists who hit the roads under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers will also crackdown on fatigue and distracted driving in a bid to prevent road trauma throughout the long weekend. Victoria Victorian police have revealed the number of lives lost has already surged to a "16-year high", with 135 deaths on the state's roads so far in 2025 - a 13 per cent increase on this period in 2024. The last time Victoria recorded a similar road toll was in 2008 when 137 lives were lost. Victoria has also suffered its worst May on record since 2004, with 36 deaths recorded this year. Police have warned "speeding and distracted motorists will be a key focus" this public holiday long weekend, which is considered to be a "high-risk period" on the state's roads. The road safety blitz, dubbed Operation Regal, will start at 12.01am on Friday and end at 11.59pm on Monday. While Victoria does not enforce a double demerit point scheme, police stressed 7,000 road and traffic infringements were handed out on the same weekend last year. Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner David Byrt highlighted winter presents extra challenges for motorists given the roads are often slippery and there is poor visibility. "Whether you're travelling across the state this weekend or heading to the alpine regions, please take extra care on the roads and be sure to drive to the conditions," he said in a statement. "We're approaching the halfway point of the year and the amount of trauma we've experienced is extremely concerning. "These road trauma numbers of course represent actual people. People who have been killed, or whose lives are changed forever, simply from travelling on our roads." South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not impose a double demerit point scheme. All states will enjoy a long weekend for the King's Birthday, with the popular Dark Mofo musical festival also underway in Tasmania from Friday. Hobart Police Inspector John Toohey has asked motorists to be mindful of vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, during busy event periods. "This year already, three pedestrians have died on Tasmanian roads, with a further 14 seriously injured," he said in a statement ahead of the long weekend. "We're asking everyone to stay alert, avoid distractions such as phones or headphones, and only cross at designated crossings. "With many festival events taking place at night and in low-light conditions, we're hoping to see responsible behaviour, that is, people looking out for each other, obeying traffic signals and being visible in the dark." The ACT The double demerit points penalty will apply in the Australian Capital Territory this long weekend. Queensland Queensland does not observe the King's Birthday in June, as the public holiday is held on October 6. The state's double demerit point scheme operates a little differently to other jurisdictions, as the penalty applies to motorists who repeatedly commit specific offences in a 12-month period. "This doesn't just apply during holiday periods, but at any time of the year," the Queensland government website has stated. While it is not a long weekend in Queensland, motorists are always encouraged to take care as normal road rules apply. Western Australia Similarly to Queensland, Western Australia does not mark the King's Birthday until later in the year in late September. Therefore, double demerit points are not in effect this weekend.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
What's On: Your guide to events around Albany and the Great Southern, June 5-11
From art exhibitions to launching local music, here's your guide to the week ahead in the Great Southern. THURSDAY John Toohey: Terra Exhibition , Albany Town Hall, 10am FRIDAY Great Southern Land Archives Exhibition , Albany Public Library, 9.30am Lez Karski , Wilson's Brewery Bar, 5pm Wine Journey with Castelli Estate , Albany Entertainment Centre, 6.30pm SATURDAY Intro to Pottery: Handbuilding , Vancouver Arts Centre, 9.30am Aidan Jones Presents Chopin's Nocturne , Spectrum Theatre, 7pm The Australian INXS Tribute Show , Albany Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm Double Singles Launch: Tammy London and Simon London and the Spirits , Six Degrees, 8.30pm SUNDAY Something Else , Wilson's Brewery Bar, 5pm MONDAY Allen Kennedy: Beyond the Surface Exhibition , Vancouver Arts Centre, 10am TUESDAY Macrame Workshop , The Empty Bobbin, 2pm WEDNESDAY Karlee Bertola: A Celebration of Pollination Exhibition , Vancouver Arts Centre, 10am Social Craft Night , The Empty Bobbin, 5pm Planning something? Let us know! Send details of your event to greatsouthern@
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
What's On: Your guide to events around Albany and the Great Southern, May 29 to June 4
From art exhibitions to comedy nights, here's your guide to the week ahead in the Great Southern. THURSDAY Reconciliation Playgroup , Child and Parent Centre, 10am John Toohey: Terra , Albany Town Hall, 10am Albany-Kinjarling Creative Writers Group , Albany Public Library, 11am Open Mic Night , Wilson's Brewery, 5pm Josephine Wants to Dance , Albany Entertainment Centre, 6pm FRIDAY Albany Knitting and Crochet group, The Empty Bobbin, 9am Friday Night Gaming, Albany Public Library, 5pm Hype Engine Presents: RINSE — Drum and Bass ft. RGGX , Eve Late Night Bar, 9pm SATURDAY Weekend of Speed Wind Farm and Pendeen Sprint, Great Southern Street Machines Association Clubroom, 7am Trail Horse Challenge Competition , Albany Equestrian Centre, 9.30am Explore the Art of Crochet with Guest Artist Grytsje Doust , Old Elleker Studio, 10am Albany Convict Gaol Night Tour , Albany Convict Gaol, 6pm Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow , Albany Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm Hype Engine Presents: CONTRL — Tech House ft. KATHARSIS , Eve Late Night Bar, 10pm SUNDAY Camtrans 2025 Albany Classic Around The Houses , Albany CBD, 9am PJ Craft Day , The Empty Bobbin, 11.30am Great Southern Stomp , Wild West Bowling, 4pm Roller Derby , Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre, 5pm MONDAY Monday Monsters Monthly Craft Meet Up, The Empty Bobbin, 9am WA Day Festival, Museum of the Great Southern, 10am Rob V Live , Wilson's Brewery, 12pm TUESDAY Tuesday Curatorial: Ecoagriculture for a sustainable future, Museum of the Great Southern, 10.30am Loop by Loop , Albany Public Library, 2pm WEDNESDAY Celebrating The Seekers — 60 Years , Albany Entertainment Centre, 11am Ocean with David Attenborough , Orana Cinemas, 6.15pm Planning something? Let us know! Send details of your event to greatsouthern@
