NSW Government demerit point rewarding local drivers for safe driving 23/05/2024 (See translation in Arabic section) Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: Motorists in the Canterbury community are reaping the reward of their safe driving through the NSW Government’s demerit point return trial. Data broken down by local government area (LGA) shows 49, 258 drivers in Canterbury-Bankstown have seen a demerit point removed from their licence for maintaining a 12-month spotless driving record. Overall, more than 1.2 million drivers across NSW qualified for the demerit point reward for maintaining a clear record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024. Five of the top ten LGAs were in Sydney’s west where workers and families rely heavily on their cars for their livelihood. The demerit return trial has been extended for a second year as the NSW Government continues to sharpen its focus on road safety in 2024 amid a rising road toll. Minister for Roads John Graham said: “If you drive for a living then the reward for safe driving could be the difference between ongoing employment and losing your livelihood. “People are used to the stick of enforcement and double demerits, but this is the carrot of reward for good behaviour. “Every demerit point wiped from a licence under this trial is the result of a full 12 months of safe driving by a motorist on NSW roads.” Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said: “Drivers rely on their cars to drive the kids to school or get to work. It is great to see drivers rewarded for their safe driving. More importantly, in our local community, there is a high number of residents who rely on a driver’s licence for their livelihood, including taxi, rideshare, construction workers and delivery drivers. Earning the removal of a demerit point is a meaningful reward for families and community members who depend on their car.” |