Australian drivers face double demerits kick off today

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Police will be targeting drink driving, mobile phone and seatbelt offences this holiday season. (Supplied)

From midnight, double demerits have taken effect in NSW, ACT and WA, with police targeting speeding, mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

Motorcyclists not wearing a helmet will also be targeted.

Double demerits will be in place from December 21 through until January 2 in NSW and the capital, with WA extending their period until January 6.

While Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Northern Territory don't have a set double demerit period over Christmas, police will be out in force across the country.

Police are also warning that today is counted as a designated school day, so an additional demerit point on top of double demerits will also apply to all relevant school zone offences committed in those areas.

“If you’re on the roads this holiday season, I encourage everyone to be their best self behind the wheel,” NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said.

During the last holiday period, 31 people were killed on NSW roads in 26 fatal crashes. 19 were behind the wheel, seven were passengers, two were motorcyclists and three were pedestrians.

Police are warning motorists they will be on any road at any time.

“This year, it won’t be a matter of which road we will be on, it will be a matter of when will we be on that stretch of road?” Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.

With the amount of Christmas parties and social gatherings in the coming weeks, police are urging people not to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.

During last year’s operation, police conducted 700,200 random breath tests and 1585 people were charged with drink driving.

Motorists are also reminded that from September this year, an extra demerit point was added to the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving. This will mean a total of 10 demerit points if you are caught between these dates.

Earlier today, relatives of actress Jessica Falkholt pleaded with drivers to stay safe on the roads this Christmas.

The 29-year-old, her sister, her parents and even the family dog were all killed when their car was hit head-on by another vehicle while they were travelling on the Princes Highway in Mondayong, south of Sydney.

“My family and I are facing our first holiday season without a whole branch of our family tree and there’s nothing that will replace them or bring them back,” Ms Falkholt’s cousin Daniella Dare said.

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