Advertisement

NSW driver hit with 28 demerit points in one go

A NSW woman has accumulated an incredible 28 demerit points after she was pulled over by police on Easter Monday.

The woman, from Umina on the Central Coast, was stopped by police in Ourimbah as part of Operation Tortoise – an operation focusing on road safety over the Easter long weekend.

Police originally spotted the 24-year-old driver using her phone while behind the wheel, but soon made another discovery after pulling her over.

When the officer approached the vehicle to discuss the infringement, they noticed three young children in the back seat who were not secured properly.

The kids, aged 1, 3 and 5, were all in child seats, however police allege the youngest two “were not properly restrained as their shoulder straps were not tightened correctly”.

Wollongong Police officers pose for a photo before beginning Operation Tortoise over the Easter long weekend. Source: Wollongong Police
NSW Police booked over 6000 drivers travelling over the speed limit during the Easter long weekend. Source: Wollongong Police

“A check of all the child seats revealed none of them were anchored to the vehicle as required,” a NSW Police statement read.

The driver was issues with four penalty notices – three for the children being restrained incorrectly and one for the use of a mobile phone when not permitted.

In total, she was fined $1348 and slapped with 28 demerit points due to the double demerit period over the Easter long weekend.

Police also sent ‘children at risk’ notifications to Family and Community Services.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said it was unfortunate that double demerits were not a deterrent for everyone.

“Even though there have been declines in the number of people detected drink driving and travelling above the speed limit, we are still hearing of examples such as the one from Ourimbah,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“Three people lost their lives on NSW roads across the Easter break. This is the same as last year.

Tuggerah Lakes highway patrol supervisor Gary Carr tests the speed of NSW motorists. Source: Getty/File
Tuggerah Lakes highway patrol supervisor Gary Carr tests the speed of NSW motorists. Source: Getty/File

“When you combine that with the fact 6000 people were detected travelling above the speed limit – those thoughts should be incentive enough to turn anyone off acting like an idiot on our roads.”

NSW drivers with an unrestricted licence are allowed up to 13 points over a three-year period.

According to Roads and Maritime Services NSW, the automatic suspension period for losing 20 or more demerit points is five months.

The RMS can refuse to renew a licence if a demerit threshold has been exceeded.

Double demerit penalties were in place in NSW from Good Friday to midnight on Monday.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.