Increased penalties for Dangerous Driving

Increased penalties for dangerous driving behaviours

The Queensland Government has instituted tougher penalties for high-risk driving behaviours from 1 July 2022.

These are driving offences that historically have caused serious injury and loss of life on Queensland roads. The biggest penalties are for speeding, failure to wear a correctly fitted seatbelt (or child restraint), and disobeying traffic lights. The changes are part of the government’s new road safety strategy announced earlier this year, focused on reducing the number of deaths by 50% by 2031. The increases will align the penalties with other similar offences and aim to deter dangerous driving behaviours. The road rules for speeding, seatbelts and child restraints, and obeying red lights have not changed.

Individuals should be most focused on the consequences of 2 or more offences committed within 1 year of a previous offence, as this may mean you receive double demerit points, which could quickly lead to suspension of your driver's license.

WHAT ARE THE NEW PENALTIES?

Speeding offences

• 1-10km/hr - $287 and 1 demerit point

• 11-20km/hr - $431 and 3 demerit points

• 21-30km/hr - $646 and 4 demerit points

• 31-40km/hr - $1078 and 6 demerit points

• More than 40km/hr - $1653 + 8 demerit points and automatic 6-month licence suspension.

Note: The speeding penalty bracket of 1-12km/hr and 13-20km/hr has changed to 1-10km/hr and 11-20km/hr to reflect risk and align Queensland with many other Australian jurisdictions. Double demerit points apply for 2 or more offences committed within 1 year of the previous offence (for speeding offences 21km/hr and above).

Seatbelt offences

Penalties of $1078 and 4 demerit points will apply to drivers for:

• not wearing a correctly-fitted seatbelt (unless exempt)

• passengers not wearing a correctly-fitted seatbelt or correctly-fitted child restraint (unless exempt)

Double demerit points apply for 2 or more offences committed within 1 year of the previous offence.

Red-light camera offences

• $575 and 3 demerit points.

This includes not stopping at yellow or red traffic lights and yellow or red bus and tram lights.

If you’ve been charged with dangerous driving offences or have had your license suspended, contact our team today on 1300 557 884 or submit a confidential enquiry for reliable and expert legal advice.

Photo Credit: Kaique Rocha

Written by: Fisher Dore

This article is of a general nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. If you require further information, advice or assistance for your specific circumstances, please contact the Fisher Dore team.

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