"Heavy handed": Ben Fordham calls out late decision on national day of mourning
The decision to implement double demerits around the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II has been called out by radio host Ben Fordham.
Transport for NSW announced the surprise double demerit period would be in force from midnight Wednesday September 21 to Sunday 11:59 pm on September 25.
Motorists will lose twice the usual number of demerit points if they are caught speeding or committing seatbelt, mobile phone or motorcycle helmet offences.
Those who speed between 10 and 20km/h over the limit could lose six points and $288, while the same offence in a school zone would result in the loss of eight points and $369.
Anyone caught speeding 45km/h over the speed limit would lose 12 points of the total 13 points on their licence. They would also be fined an eye-watering $2547. The same offence in a school zone would cost $2704 and 14 demerit points which is an instant loss of licence.
Fordham took issue with the “heavy handed” decision on his 2GB breakfast show, saying it was illogical to be “slapping double demerits” on the day of national mourning.
Transport for NSW deputy secretary for safety Tara McCarthy said the penalty period would be enforced to account for additional road users surrounding the national day of mourning on Thursday.
“Although this is a sombre occasion, there are still likely to be more people out on the roads over the next few days and over the weekend with the school term ending on Friday, so it is important we all take extra care,” Ms McCarthy said.
Fordham said the hasty imposition of double demerits seemed to contradict the intention behind the public holiday, which is a day for paying respect to the Queen after her historic 70-year reign.
Road transport regulation mandates double demerits over a long weekend when a public holiday falls on a Thursday, Friday, Monday or Tuesday.
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