Police begin holiday double demerit period around Australia

Police operations in NSW, ACT and WA are targeting speeding, drink driving, mobile phone use, lax seatbelts and motorcycle helmet use over Christmas and New Year's.

Driving without a seatbelt in NSW or the ACT could see you lose six demerit points instead of the usual three.

If you're caught using your phone while driving you will be gifted a massive loss of 10 demerit points over the holidays and a $352 dollar fine in NSW and ACT.

Driving through a red light in WA will cost you six demerit points rather than three.

With only 12 or 13 demerit points to your name, offences like these during the holiday period can leave you vulnerable to having your license suspended.

Acting NSW premier and minister for police Paul Toole said road safety is everyone's responsibility over the holidays.

"Unfortunately, some people still think they're above the law, whether it's quickly checking a text, driving too fast because the road is familiar or getting behind the wheel when tired," Mr Toole said.

"But we have road rules for a reason because we want everyone to arrive safely at their destination this holiday period."

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The NSW road toll for 2022 is 280, which is 16 more than the same time last year.

While Queenslanders aren't subject to the targeted holiday period, drivers in the sunshine state always face double demerits for repeating certain offences (e.g. no seatbelt or speeding) within 12 months of the original offence.

Drivers in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory don't face any holiday double demerits.

The double demerits program start from Friday December 23 until Monday January 3 in NSW and ACT, and until Sunday January 8 in WA.