Double demerits are in place in the ACT from midnight tonight, ACT Policing has announced.

The Australia Day weekend is a double demerit point period in the ACT, a police spokesperson said. Double demerits will apply from Wednesday, January 25 until Sunday, January 29 inclusive.

Double demerits apply to all speeding, seatbelt, and mobile phone offences, as well as riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Any other traffic offence will incur one additional demerit point.

The same applies in the NSW, where police will run a high visibility road safety operation over the same period: midnight tonight to Sunday.

Because Australia Day falls on a Thursday this year, police expect a lot of people on the roads from Wednesday and across the weekend, NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King, said.

“With double demerits in place over five days, we urge everyone to remember the consequences if you do the wrong thing behind the wheel,” Acting Assistant Commissioner King said.

“While police will be doing everything in their power to work with the community to keep our roads safe, we also want to advise motorists that everyone has a role to play.

“Inside each and every vehicle you pass on the road is a loved one: a mate, a mother, a father, child or a sibling – and we can all take steps to keep them out of harm’s way.”

Peter Dunphy, Head of Safety at Transport for NSW, urged motorists not to become complacent.

“Keeping safe on the roads is everyone’s responsibility, so please make sure you’re well rested before you set off; stick to the speed limit, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination; put the phone away; and never ever drive if you’re affected by drugs or alcohol,” Mr Dunphy said.

School goes back in both the ACT and NSW on Friday, and motorists must slow down in school zones at school times – even if they cannot see children near the road.