Queen’s National Day of Mourning: Fury as NSW, ACT drivers hit with FIVE days of double failures
A decision to double the number of points on some Australian roads ahead of the Queen’s national mourning has been seen as ‘heavy-handed’.
Double demerits will apply for five days from 12am Wednesday 21 September to 11:59 pm Sunday 25 September for NSW and ACT roads.
NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward said Thursday’s announcement of a Commonwealth holiday automatically triggered the increase under NSW law.
Double demerits were included Wednesday through Sunday on NSW and ACT roads (file image)
“It’s the normal course for the holidays so close to the weekend,” Ms Ward told 2GB.
However presenter Ben Fordham questioned whether Australians would be affected by harsher road penalties was something Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had in mind when he announced the date.
‘Why would they slap twice on a day dedicated to honoring Queen Elizabeth II?’ Ben said.
‘I’m not sure that’s what the Prime Minister meant when he said we would be celebrating a day of national mourning.
“That seems heavy to me.”
Motorists similarly erupted on social media: ‘Why should one day of mourning bring two drops in value? This is a cash machine. ‘ said a wag.
Another said: ‘NSWGovt are opportunists with #doubledemerits’.
But Ms Ward argues the main priority is safety and making sure people don’t get stuck on a long weekend of free time.
She added that with school holidays starting on Monday, there will be an increase in the number of cars on the road from Thursday as people get extra days off.
“I realize it was a dark occasion but it was a holiday like any other,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a day of national mourning for the Queen on Thursday