In a groundbreaking initiative to promote safer roads, over one million New South Wales drivers are being rewarded with a demerit point removal for maintaining a clean driving record over the past 12 months.
This initiative, part of the Minns Labor Government’s Fair Driving Incentive Scheme, recognizes drivers’ contributions to road safety, with a significant focus on high-traffic areas like Western Sydney and regional NSW.
A Reward for Road Safety
Premier Chris Minns highlighted the dual approach to road safety: “We’re using both the carrot and the stick to encourage safer driving. These drivers have actively made our roads safer, and this is a well-deserved reward.”
Eligible drivers, including unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points, will begin seeing their records updated in Q2 2025. Notably, over 420,000 drivers have successfully maintained offence-free records for two consecutive years.
High-Impact Areas
Top-performing suburbs like Blacktown, Castle Hill, and Merrylands lead the list, while regional hubs such as Orange and Dubbo showed strong participation. Suburb-specific data reveals:
- Blacktown: 6093 drivers benefited
- Castle Hill: 5160 drivers rewarded
- Dubbo: 4506 drivers celebrated
| Suburb | Total demerit points removed |
|---|---|
| BLACKTOWN | 6093 |
| CASTLE HILL | 5160 |
| MERRYLANDS | 4864 |
| AUBURN | 4785 |
| MAROUBRA | 4594 |
| ORANGE | 4525 |
| BANKSTOWN | 4516 |
| DUBBO | 4506 |
| PORT MACQUARIE | 4438 |
| RYDE | 4422 |
| BAULKHAM HILLS | 4396 |
| MOSMAN | 4253 |
| GREENACRE | 4056 |
| KELLYVILLE | 3870 |
| RANDWICK | 3821 |
| GUILDFORD | 3772 |
| LIVERPOOL | 3739 |
| LIDCOMBE | 3701 |
| CARLINGFORD | 3673 |
| EPPING | 3485 |
A Step Forward
Minister for Roads John Graham explained the program’s dual impact: “This isn’t just about individual drivers - it’s about creating a safer road environment for all. The incentive could even safeguard livelihoods for those who depend on their licences for work.”
From 2026 onward, the scheme’s qualifying period will align with the critical holiday travel season, requiring drivers to stay offence-free through January—a month historically marked by road accidents.
Enhancing Road Safety in NSW
The NSW Government has also introduced other road safety measures, including:
- Trials of average speed cameras for light vehicles.
- Doubling mobile speed camera enforcement sites.
- Enforcing seatbelt compliance via mobile phone cameras.
- Closing loopholes for international drivers.
A Win for NSW Drivers
This innovative program has already proven successful, with nearly 1.5 million drivers eligible for next year’s benefits. As drivers strive for safer practices, the initiative aims to lower road fatalities and foster a culture of responsible driving in NSW.
Stay tuned for updates as NSW continues to lead the way in creating safer roads through innovative and community-focused initiatives.
Dylan Gow
