Source: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23833137-2682,00.html
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ALMOST 60,000 South Australian motorists are just one offence from losing their driver’s licence – triple the number of six years ago – Transport Department data shows.
Of those drivers, almost 2000 need only one more demerit point before facing a ban.
Advances in detection and stricter laws have led to the dramatic increase in the number of motorists at risk.
As thousands of motorists return today from long-weekend holidays, motoring body the RAA and police have warned drivers to be on their best behaviour because of the more intense policing of road laws.
On May 29, 59,300 licensed motorists had accrued between six and 11 demerit points, putting them on the brink of a driving ban of at least three months. In November, 2002, The Advertiser reported more than 21,000 drivers had six or more demerit points.
There are more than one million licensed drivers in SA.
The surge in the number of motorists on the brink of losing their licences might indicate worsening road behaviour but the RAA argues increased detection is playing a major role.
RAA traffic and safety manager Rita Excell said there was more chance of getting caught now than ever before.
She said speed and red light camera technology had improved and the police focus on enforcement was more intense.
“With more constraints and restrictions on drivers, most people are compliant – there’s just more ways to get caught and more detection going on,” she said.
Motorists who reach the 12-demerit-point limit can apply for a “good behaviour option”, under which they cannot incur a further two demerit points in the next year.
There are 3614 people subject to this agreement. However, there are 626 people who have had their licence disqualified for breaching a good behaviour agreement.
Ms Excell urged all motorists to check how many demerit points they had accumulated.
“We know they do change their behaviour if they know they’ve accumulated demerit points,” she said.
Traffic Support Branch head Superintendent Mark Fairney said drivers on the verge of losing their licence “know they need to be on their very best behaviour”.
“I would imagine those 2000 people (with a one-demerit-point leeway) are driving at the very best that they’ve ever driven because they don’t want to suffer the inconvenience of losing their licence,” he said.
“People that are so close (to losing their licence), they drive now at 50km/h in a 60km/h zone, they won’t even sniff a drink, they couldn’t afford to lose it.”
Since 2002, the number of offences attracting demerit points has increased and more red light and speed cameras are operating.
From December, 2003, all speed camera offences have attracted demerit points.
In December, 2001, excessive speeding laws carrying six-demerit-point penalties were introduced and in the past six months the Government also has increased demerit points for failing to ensure passengers wear seatbelts and for drink and drug driving.
If drivers accumulate between 12 and 20 demerit points they can lose their licence for up to five months. Speeding motorists can incur up to four demerit points for travelling 30km/h over the speed limit while drink-driving can attract up to six demerit points.
Like all learner drivers, India Carty cannot afford to attract a single demerit point. Next month she hopes to progress to her provisional licence, on which drivers can attract up to three demerit points. The 16-year-old, who shares a Hyundai Getz with her mother, said it would be a “bummer” to lose her licence so she is careful to obey the road rules.
“I make sure I keep within the speed limit,” she said. “If I get three demerit points (as a provisional driver) I have to stay on my Ps for longer.” the number of motorists on the brink of losing their licences might indicate worsening road behaviour but the RAA argues increased detection is playing a major role.
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