Demerit points to be wiped sooner if NSW Opposition wins upcoming state election

Drivers who do the right thing for 12 months after being caught by speed cameras or during double demerit periods will have a better chance of wiping points off their licence if the NSW Opposition wins the upcoming state election.

The NSW Opposition has already successfully led a campaign to bring back warning signs to sneaky speed cameras.

The NSW Opposition's constant campaigning forced the NSW Government to backflip on its draconian measures that saw the number of fines for speeding at less than 10km/h over the limit increase by more than 10 times, with no measurable impact on the road toll.

Spotting the overzealous enforcement as an election issue – after tens of thousands of motorists across all electorates complained the strict new measures were affecting their licences and livelihoods – NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns has announced a new policy to win voters, and it has the support of road safety experts.

NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns said under his proposal drivers who don't cop a fine for 12 months would have one demerit point wiped off their licence – rather than wait three years for the entire penalty to expire.

"Today's announcement a trial aimed at improving road safety, to incentivise drivers to do the right thing rather than only punishing drivers for doing the wrong thing," Mr Minns told media.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury, who has studied the proposal, said: "If you've had your license suspended, that doesn't apply to you. If you're caught drink driving, it doesn't apply to you."

A leading road safety expert – who declined to be named because they are involved in current state government projects – told Drive:

"This suggestion (by the NSW Opposition) is a sensible policy, this gives people a chance to be extra cautious on the road after they've been caught doing the wrong thing.

"One year of safer driving is an achievable target for most people, and of course the hope is they keep driving safer for the following years to keep getting those points back before they've cleared them altogether after three years.

"The double-demerit point system and the draconian speed enforcement up to 10km/h over the limit is costing people's jobs, it's affecting livelihoods, and the public have had enough because, despite record fines, the road toll hasn't come down."

The current NSW Government – which has driven record fines during its term in office – was left seemingly without a response to the proposal, with NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward dismissing it as a "Labor lollipop and it goes no way to actually addressing the real issue."