Peter Doyle Barrister-at-Law

23/12/2021

23/01/2021

"The Australia Day long weekend is upon us and police are warning drivers to play it safe on the roads as harsher penalties for breaking road rules are about to be enforced.

Penalties for poor driver behaviour will vary across states and territories, with double demerits in place in some parts of the country.
Here's what you need to know depending on where you live.

NSW Police will begin its double demerit operation from midnight tonight, with penalties to remain in place until midnight on January 26."

When do double demerits apply and what does it mean for you?

15/05/2020

What you can and can't do under the updated rules for NSW.

Have a look to make sure you’re staying safe and within the current social distancing rules.

Find out how public health orders affect where you can go and what is open, closed or restricted.

02/12/2019

NSW mobile phone cameras to switch on TODAY - Everything NSW drivers need to know.

New technology being rolled out across NSW will capture drivers illegally using mobile phones behind the wheel - here's everything you need to know.

26/11/2019

More than 100,000 drivers were caught using their phones while driving during the camera's testing phase.

Cameras come online this weekend. Stay safe camera 📸

More than 100,000 drivers were caught using their phones while driving during the camera's testing phase.

22/11/2019

*Community Service Announcement!*

In just under three weeks, getting caught unawares for using a mobile phone behind the wheel will become ever easier with the NSW Government’s new Fixed & Mobile Mobile Phone Cameras.

Using a mobile phone behind the wheel will start to cost drivers dearly, those caught will lose 5 demerit points, doubled to 10 on long weekends. Fines will range from $344 to $457 in school zones.

Phones can only be used in cradles or on Bluetooth. From December 1st, the new fixed and mobile cameras will be sneering drivers for either conventional touching of your phone or by other methods, e.g. holding your mobile phone resting on your map or pressing it against your shoulder and head.

It is expected that millions of vehicles will be checked annually & up to a million fines issued to this program.

*Important!*

There will be no warning signs for drivers; you could be caught anywhere, anytime.

Additionally, the government will no longer need to prove that it was a mobile phone that you were holding; the onus (proof) will be on the driver, they were holding a different object such as a hairbrush.

The driver will be issued with warnings for now, but the government will commence issuing infringements from March 1st.

Please note the changes does not impact P-Platers; There are strict new laws for P-Plate drivers governing the use of mobile devices while they are behind the wheel, which all came into effect from December 1st.

It is now against the law for P1 and P2 licence holders in NSW to use their phones in any way while they are driving.

The new law means no P-plater can talk on their phone even if it is connected to a Bluetooth handsfree system.

It is also now illegal for P-platers to even use their mobile device for GPS or to play any audio.

The thinking behind these new laws is to remove any distraction the mobile may pose to the most inexperienced drivers on the road.

Moreover, Learner and P1 drivers caught using their phones will be fined and lose four demerit points which will exceed their three-demerit point threshold and result in a three-month suspension.

P2 drivers will only have three demerit points remaining if they are fined for illegally using their mobile phone.

Sourced 7News.

https://www.facebook.com/108878629136279/posts/3099244836766295?sfns=mo

14/10/2019

I am proud to have been part of the 26 participants of the first ever Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training program run in Australia on Saturday 12 October 2019 which was run jointly by the NSW Bar Association and the Australian Advocacy Institute. A big thank you to the course organisers and facilitators for putting on an excellent event.

06/06/2019

Don’t forget to stay safe this upcoming long weekend.

Phones are a big focus, those caught with their phones in hand while driving face a fine of $674 as well as up to 10 demerit points.

Drivers in NSW and the ACT are being warned to be on their best behaviour.

09/05/2019

At present, the pigeon is still at large with no current leads of its whereabouts.

Offiicals are now pondering how to collect the fine.

17/04/2019

NSW Easter Long Weekend: Double Demerits

Just a quick reminder to everyone in NSW and the ACT that double demerits will be in place for ten days during this month’s Easter and ANZAC Day holiday period.

Double demerits will start on Thursday 18 April and run to Monday 22 April 2019. Then there will be a one day break before they start again on Wednesday 24 April and run through to Sunday 28 April (inclusive).

Sourced NRMA