13 Demerit Points in 2025

LBigfellaborham on 21/04/2025 - 19:19
Last edited 23/04/2025 - 16:28

Thirteen demerit points in NSW is increasingly unfair in today’s context, where speed cameras are virtually on every corner. With such dense camera coverage, even minor, unintentional infractions—like being slightly over the limit for a few seconds—are heavily penalised. This creates a system that punishes frequency over severity and disproportionately impacts safe drivers who make occasional human errors. The system should reflect intent and danger, not revenue-raising through constant surveillance.

On top of that, the amount of police who just park with their radar gun at a spot where the speed limit randomly changes from 80 to 50 to catch people who don’t reduce speed on the spot, which seems more dangerous. Oh and let’s no forget those speed traps they setup in areas where the speed limit changes dramatically all of a sudden. Just saving lives, I guess.

EDIT: interesting feedback. The general consensus among our friends is that everyone is cruising around with about 10 demerit points from picking up the kids and driving to work. All professionals with families holding down good jobs. The OzBargain feedback seems to be tough bickies, you criminal.

EDIT 2: interesting cross section of society we have here on the OzBargain forum. Never met real life people that act so righteous. Curious to know if you’re just like this online or if in real life someone says ‘oh 13 demerit points doesn’t seem like much considering there’s speed cameras on every second block’ and then in real life you guys just launch into a big ol spiel about being the best driver in the world.

Poll Options

  • 130
    Unfair
  • 781
    Fair
Automotive

Comments

    • aaronaldo on 22/04/2025 - 11:04
      +4

      These 2 sentences don't add up…

      only ever lost 2 demerits and that was in my second year as a p-plate

      Was caught in a country town doing 55 in a 50 zone

      • Drakesy on 22/04/2025 - 12:37
        +1

        They're unrelated instances

        The 2 demerits were for 10-20k's over when I was young

        • aaronaldo on 22/04/2025 - 16:39

          So you've only lost 2 demerit points and that's when you were young, plus a more recent only in a country town doing 55 in a 50 zone…. plus maybe some other ones?

          Haha, ignore me, just a slow day in the office during a 3 day week… That's a deal I should have posted!

          • Drakesy on 22/04/2025 - 17:15
            +4

            @aaronaldo: You don't lose demerits in WA for doing 55 in a 50 zone and no, never lost any others.

  • Keplaffintech on 21/04/2025 - 19:46
    +9

    What state are you in? In NSW it's 1 point for under 10 over. Pretty fair.

      • Keplaffintech on 21/04/2025 - 19:50
        +37

        The speed traps with 3 signs around them and a huge one on the top of the car? If you don't see them when you're driving and speeding then you've got it coming.

        • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:15
          +6

          Speeding and inattentive driving.Time for a big L plate

        • skidexa on 22/04/2025 - 19:59
          +1

          Funny thing is, most people probably speed here and there, a few ks or if the road is clear etc….but never get caught or they know when to slow down etc. lol OP is so terrible at driving they get caught constantly.

      • SydStrand on 22/04/2025 - 00:30
        +7

        You have 12 points get docked one for every 10kph over. So… do you plan to make this 'mistake' a dozen times? Even with all the 'speed traps,' are you such a crap and/or impatient driver that they can still catch you 12 times? How about adjusting your driving habits after the first warning; or better yet, avoid speeding in the first place? It's not that difficult.

      • Cheap Gamer on 22/04/2025 - 06:50

        These mobile traps make some drivers paranoid and dangerous. After they've been in my area for a while, I get caught behind heaps of slowmos who stay far under the limit. Wouldn't surprise me if the traps have the opposite effect and cause an increase in accidents.

        • Euphemistic on 22/04/2025 - 07:32
          +2

          You cant call them traps in NSW. They are blatantly obvious if youre paying attention.

          • Cheap Gamer on 22/04/2025 - 11:57

            @Euphemistic: They could do more to make them obvious .Why no flashing lights if they're not traps?

      • Papa Huggies on 22/04/2025 - 09:50
        +5

        You goofball, NSW has the laxest speed cameras.

        If you've been getting booked regularly you're not just doing 5kmh over. Period. Our cameras are actually so insensitive that you can regularly set CC at 55kmh in a 50kmh zone and never get booked, because of a combination of conservative speedo and the tolerances our cameras have (TfNSW don't want many false positives, so they'd only book readings that are like 53kmh in a 50kmh zone).

        Just accept you're a bad driver and change your behaviour. Here I was thinking you were in SA or something. Those cameras are pin-point.

      • baker bob on 24/04/2025 - 11:36

        What time period are you referring to because I started driving in 1992 and there were random speed traps back then too, are you talking about the 1950's or something?

    • garage sale on 22/04/2025 - 23:03

      victoria is also 1 demerit for under 10 km over the limit.

  • randomusername2017 on 21/04/2025 - 19:47
    +9

    It's a travesty 🙀

    While far more heinous crimes like driving unregistered for 3 months go undemerited 😢

  • MS Paint on 21/04/2025 - 19:56
    +3

    tough bickies

    Lol. FFS. 🎻

    • Poor Ass on 21/04/2025 - 21:24
      -2

      @jv need bikies

    • fantombloo on 21/04/2025 - 23:07
      +1

      I think he means tough titties, not that we're tough cookies. (Haven't heard that in a while.)

  • Gdsamp on 21/04/2025 - 19:59
    -1

    Yeah life is unfair. You can be charged more for insurance based on what is in your pants. But your employer can't pay you more/less for the same reason allegedly

  • Ellene on 21/04/2025 - 19:59
    +1

    Get a 30 year old Camry that can't go over the speed limit.

  • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:08
    +17

    You and your friends are clearly sh*t drivers.

    The general consensus among our friends is that everyone is cruising around with about 10 demerit points from picking up the kids and driving to work.

    "All professionals with families holding down good jobs."

    Doesn't make you special.

      • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:37
        +22

        Cool. You get to pick the laws you obey. Winning philosophy..You'll go places.

        • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 20:40

          Cool. You get to pick the laws you obey. Winning philosophy..You'll go places.

          That's what Miep Gies' neighbours said to her.

      • Euphemistic on 21/04/2025 - 22:14
        +8

        Thank you for contributing to the tax system over ans above by paying your fines. Helps keep my taxes a bit lower.

    • garage sale on 22/04/2025 - 23:06

      grandmother does the pickup and drop offs, she hasn’t had a ticket in 40 years, might just be how old people drive, she drives a civic.

  • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:12
    +8

    This OP sounds very much like the same anti cop, pro speeding dude that changes stripes every five minutes, and gets back on the 'poor me' train to victimhood.

  • AsukaLangleySohryu on 21/04/2025 - 20:16
    +13

    Let this be a reminder that speeding increases the severity of accidents and the likelihood of fatalities.

      • djkelly69 on 21/04/2025 - 20:38
        +12

        So what is the 'safe' speeding level then?

        • garage sale on 22/04/2025 - 23:09

          it’s not about safe speeding, as road conditions, weather, times of day can make a difference. Sadly australia design regulations allow 10% margin for error on speedometers, so it pays to check against a sat nav or your phone to see, also if you get larger diameter tyres than factory spec you speed will be out.

      • CodeXD on 21/04/2025 - 20:44
        +6

        Mate, wipe off 5 or wipe out lives

        • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 22:02
          +5

          Stop it, or cop it.

      • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 20:30

        like AI responses set to the tone of little old ladies from church

        Maybe it is

        • Bigfellaborham on 21/04/2025 - 20:34
          -4

          Haha wouldn’t be surprised.

  • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 20:25
    +6

    Police are too busy raising revenue to investigate crimes.

  • brendanm on 21/04/2025 - 20:32
    +8

    Some speed limits are dumb, but I have zero points, so not sure what you're doing.

    • Bigfellaborham on 21/04/2025 - 20:34
      -6

      Oh I’ve got points. Licence not gone. Just seems that enforcing the 13 points rule which was set before the likelihood of getting done for 4km/h over the limit was massively increased. Seems the dogooders are busy clutching their pearls just thinking about it.

  • Gdsamp on 21/04/2025 - 20:33

    My honest reaction

    • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:39

      3 papery?

    • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 20:45

      Does he have a weirdly weedy little hand?

  • djkelly69 on 21/04/2025 - 20:34
    +10

    Sounds like they need to increase the size of the fines and/or amount of demerits for an offence, as the message doesn't seem to be getting through and lessons are not being learned.

  • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:40
    +8

    Troll thread from same usual suspect

    • Bigfellaborham on 21/04/2025 - 20:43
      -7

      Hey man, it’s a discussion forum. For discussing. Anyone who disagrees with you is a troll? Crazy to think people can have different opinions…

      • johnno07 on 21/04/2025 - 23:36
        +20

        Have a peruse through this thread and your responses. Then have a think about how well you've handled the opinions that differ to yours.

        • CaptainJack on 22/04/2025 - 06:09
          -4

          Are we reading the same thread. Most people responding seem pretty rude.

      • TrumpisKing on 22/04/2025 - 13:20
        -3

        I agree with everything you've said.
        What I've realised from years on here is that people on ozbargain seem to be the most passive, law abiding citizens on the planet. They don't do anything wrong and always follow the law to a T. I'm actually shocked how perfect they all are.
        And be careful saying anything out of place, you'll be put in the penalty box before you can count to 5.

    • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 22:20
      +1

      Do you have a point? /s

  • holdenmg on 21/04/2025 - 20:49
    +1

    That is 13 Points in ~110 days.
    (only 253 days to 2026).

  • Brick Tamland on 21/04/2025 - 20:52
    +6

    It's even worse in Vic where you have a tolerance of 3km/h, you sneeze on the throttle and thats a point

    • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 20:58

      Isn't there (before that 3kmh limit) an existing tolerance the law allows for speedo error?.In other words they peel back a few kms/hr when they assess the speed? (ergo they cut you some slack). And I hasten to add these demerit events are generally only the ones where ppl actually get pinged between the usual multiple daily infringements all normal humans commit. In other words what ever happened to cop it on the chin? Did the cookers eat that too?

      • Brick Tamland on 21/04/2025 - 21:26
        +1

        Yes but it’s pretty minor. We talking 1-2kmh at 100kmh. God forbid you overtake someone at 107kmh.

        • Protractor on 21/04/2025 - 22:23
          +1

          3 words. What's the hurry?

          • CaptainJack on 21/04/2025 - 22:47
            +1

            @Protractor: Safety. The less time you spend overtaking the better.

            • Brick Tamland on 21/04/2025 - 23:45
              +3

              @CaptainJack: Exactly. But lots of people like overtaking someone as slowly as possible as to not break the speed limit.

            • Protractor on 22/04/2025 - 09:18
              +1

              @CaptainJack: What absolutely (proven wrong a million times) utter BS.

              Safety is waiting to do so when safe or not overtaking. You don't need to win. Be in front. Lead the pack. You're not a super hero or an emergency vehicle.

              • CaptainJack on 22/04/2025 - 09:36
                +3

                @Protractor: I have no idea what you're trying to read into my response, but to the point, overtaking at a relative crawl is dangerous and idiotic. Why would you want to be in an oncoming lane for any longer than you strictly need to be?

                • Protractor on 22/04/2025 - 09:40
                  +1

                  @CaptainJack: Overtaking as quick as you can? Wrong .Overtake when it's safe ,means plenty of time to do it safely. And within the allowed speed. Big difference.Hand your license in if you think this>
                  "Why would you want to be in an oncoming lane for any longer than you strictly need to be" ever allows to to speed, anywhere.

          • TrumpisKing on 22/04/2025 - 13:21
            +3

            @Protractor: Someone sitting on the far right lane doing 95? Ohh wait. That's ok these days apparently

            • Protractor on 22/04/2025 - 13:50
              -2

              @TrumpisKing: Fine by me. Does it frustrate you? ( Asking for a friend.)

              • Brick Tamland on 22/04/2025 - 15:33
                +1

                @Protractor: You are part of the problem. This behaviour causes accidents.

                • Protractor on 22/04/2025 - 15:39

                  @Brick Tamland: Who says I do it? Are you the eye in the sky watching your imaginary target?

              • TrumpisKing on 25/04/2025 - 21:26

                @Protractor: Yes it does.
                It's illegal.
                Maybe learn the rules before you comment 💩

                • Protractor on 25/04/2025 - 21:30

                  @TrumpisKing: Rules? LOL, as if. That's the last thing Trump💩💩💩 respects. You jumped on the wrong glandwagon.

  • Fredfloresjr on 21/04/2025 - 20:59

    Ahahahaha

    Fair, hope they make it 7 points.

  • ninohax on 21/04/2025 - 21:02
    +3

    Just try not to speed mate. It ain't that hard. And in fact I think 13 is way too generous should be much less so that there is less of you on the road. Well at least for a while.

  • Bruceflix on 21/04/2025 - 21:09
    +3

    In not particularly bright or clever. I have poor judgement and, due to ozbargain, occasionally act on impulse.

    But through all that madness, i still somehow manage to stay within the speed limits.

    What's wrong with me?

    • Bigfellaborham on 21/04/2025 - 21:20
      -1

      Haha you have a sense of humour. I like it!

    • bcarp on 21/04/2025 - 21:22

      Clearly, you & I are in the minority. Averaging about 30,000km/year of driving over 30 years. Not one traffic violation ticket. I don't understand why the "norm" seems to be to allow breaking the law. If you don't agree with a law, the correct approach isn't to break it; the correct approach is to get it changed. If enough people agree with you, then the law will be changed.

      • tenpercent on 21/04/2025 - 22:06

        If you don't agree with a law, the correct approach isn't to break it; the correct approach is to get it changed. If enough people agree with you, then the law will be changed.

        Someone should have given that advice to Miep Gies and Anne Frank. /s

      • CaptainJack on 21/04/2025 - 22:44
        +3

        Hahaha the government is not giving up that beautiful revenue source no matter how many people agree with you.

  • niyiaw on 21/04/2025 - 21:41

    Either don't speed or don't get caught? Not that hard seeing the speed cams coming up unless you're also driving blind.

  • elgrande on 21/04/2025 - 21:50
    +1

    The general consensus among our friends 

    So many one liners, but I will refrain.

  • Nads2407 on 21/04/2025 - 21:53

    Must be in a hurry.

  • SBOB on 21/04/2025 - 22:07
    +1

    Thirteen demerit points in NSW is increasingly unfair in today’s context

    So, what fine did you get this long weekend?

  • AustriaBargain on 21/04/2025 - 22:14
    +1

    You could just not speed? Traffic cops had this one simple trick!

  • mskeggs on 21/04/2025 - 22:19

    Could you try and sit 5km/h under the speed limit?
    Plenty go slower than that on double demerit weekends.
    I’ve only ever been caught speeding when I have been travelling over the limit, so now I routinely drive at or below the limit.

    I have other life hacks if this one is of interest.

  • Euphemistic on 21/04/2025 - 22:20

    The points are an important addition to the fine system. If there were no points, fines would disproportionately affect less well off people. For someone with a lot of free cash a few hundred for a fine is a non issue and theyll keep reoffending.

    Was guilty of copping a few fines in my younger days. An occasional 15over ticket was wortb it when doing bulk country kms. Over time I learned its voluntary, and aside from one brain fart recently, have not contributed to stafe revenue or gained points for 20y.

    Not getting speeding fines is perfectly achievable.

  • Parentheses on 21/04/2025 - 22:21
    +1

    who don’t reduce speed on the spot, which seems more dangerous

    This says you and your friends have the mindset of 'must go the absolute speed limit all the time'. You don't have to reduce your speed on the spot when it changes from 80 to 50. You have to change it before the spot. And yeah, that means going 70 and then 60 even though the speed limit there is still 80, so you cross that 50 sign going 50. It's a 'you must be doing 50 now' sign, not a 'start slowing down to 50 now' sign.

    I've managed to get a whole 0 demerits in the last 10 years, because it's so freakin easy to not speed. Unless you feel like your peepee shrinks when someone overtakes you and so you have to go faster I suppose. Driving from Sydney to Melbourne going 108 instead of 110 adds less than 10 minutes to the entire 8 hour trip, but I don't have to act like some twitchy methhead looking at the speedo every 3 seconds while I'm doing it. People who rack up demerit points earned them - hopefully you try and learn from yours.

  • pegaxs on 21/04/2025 - 22:35
    +1

    lol, cry harder… surprised you didn’t break out that old “rEvEnUe rAiSiNg” nugget.

    Speeding fines are a toll on stupid, dangerous and inattentive people and if your friends are all driving around with 10 or more points, may I suggest they either re-sit their license or take up some driver education lessons… or, you know, stop driving like cunce.

    On a side note… all these “friends” of yours… don’t happen to also drive Rangers as well, do they?

    • randomusername2017 on 21/04/2025 - 22:59

      rEvEnUe rAiSiNg

      Collusion with big insurance.. CTP quote nearly triples with 13 demerit points.

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