The New South Wales Government has introduced a bill to parliament for its proposed Demerit Point Reward Program, which aims to influence behavioural change in motorists, increasing road safety overall.
If passed, the reform would make the Demerit Point Reward Program permanent. The program has been trialled since 2023.
Under the program, drivers who remain offence-free over a 12 month period would have one demerit point removed.
Penalties, fines, licence suspensions and police action would remain firmly in place for dangerous and repeat offenders.
This reform is supposed to work alongside those measures by giving drivers a clear incentive to slow down, follow the rules and stick to safer habits.
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Only unrestricted licence holders would be eligible for the program. Learner and provisional drivers would remain excluded under the Graduated Licensing Scheme, due to their higher risk profile and lower demerit thresholds.
New South Wales Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said that road safety isn’t about choosing between enforcement or education, rather it’s about both.
“For too long, road safety has relied almost entirely on penalties and enforcement, and while those tools remain absolutely essential, on their own they don’t always change behaviour for the long term,” Aitchison said.
“We believe the best approach is a clear carrot and stick – strong penalties for dangerous behaviour, combined with a real incentive for drivers who do the right thing and stay offence-free.”
“This reform reflects a fair, practical approach to road safety that works with drivers while still holding people accountable.”
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