<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Motorists in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="_blank" title="New South Wales"><span>New South Wales</span></a><span> will be recognised for good behaviour on the roads after the state government moved to permanently enshrine its demerit point reward program.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The $2.8 billion program, first introduced as a trial in 2023, was introduced to parliament earlier this month as a permanent fixture of the state's </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fine-for-using-mobile-phone-while-driving-australia-device-in-lap-explainer/0a66e482-73d8-4cdb-baeb-77b1cb499a44" rel="" target="_blank" title="demerit point system."><span>demerit point system.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If passed, it will allow unrestricted NSW driver's licence holders to have one demerit point removed after reaching 12 months with no offences.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/noosa-houseboats-queensland-man-sells-boat-for-one-dollar-after-being-forced-off-river/7a97cae6-7ce5-4509-aa07-c27922a61f5b" rel="" target="_blank" title="David sold his home for $2 after 'traumatic' new rule forced him out"><strong><span>David sold his home for $2 after 'traumatic' new rule forced him out</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/maralago-shooting-us-secret-service-shoots-man-at-donald-trumps-florida-residence/46f8705e-f4dd-4894-979f-de682908e330" target="_blank"><strong><span>Gunman shot dead at Trump's Florida home of Mar-a-Lago identified as missing 21-year-old</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/chris-minns" rel="" target="_blank" title="NSW Premier Chris Minns"><span>NSW Premier Chris Minns</span></a><span> said the program rewards motorists who have "turned a corner and improved their safety".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"History has shown that enforcement and penalties alone aren't enough to keep our roads safe," Minns said today.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-demerit-points-safe-driver-reward-program-becomes-permanent/5837b547-1cb6-457d-92c1-3151786d6842" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With the demerit reward program, we're taking a new approach – giving NSW motorists a clear 'carrot and stick' incentive to get their licence and driving record back on track."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When the program was trialled, the government said around 1.7 million drivers would be eligible to have a demerit point scrubbed from their record.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than two million NSW demerit points have been removed since the trial began three years ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coalition-pushes-to-criminalise-help-for-isis-brides/973d61c5-4557-485d-be8d-e5aba8991a61"><strong><span>Coalition plan to criminalise any help given to those with Islamic State links</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said the program does not mean road law enforcement will be eased in the state.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This reform reflects a fair, practical approach to road safety that works with drivers while still holding people accountable," Aitchison said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Let's not forget, road safety isn't about choosing between enforcement or education – we need both."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coalition-pushes-to-criminalise-help-for-isis-brides/973d61c5-4557-485d-be8d-e5aba8991a61" rel="" target="_blank" title="Coalition plan to criminalise any help given to those with Islamic State links"><strong><span>Coalition plan to criminalise any help given to those with Islamic State links</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cost-of-living-how-queensland-couple-sandra-and-peter-rielly-keep-their-expenses-to-under-15-000-dollars-a-year/6952ee63-af6d-4f59-9cbf-63e79e78e8e0" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>How one Aussie couple lives on $15,000 a year</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The program does not impact drivers who have no active demerit points.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>P-plate and learner drivers are not eligible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In NSW, drivers with a long-term clean record can be rewarded with discounted insurance premiums.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/good-drivers-last-chance-to-renew-licence-at-discounted-rate-as-fair-go-for-safe-drivers-scheme-ends/a0533ce2-c312-4940-97f7-65877c78f638" rel="" target="_blank" title="The government ended its Fair Go for Safe Drivers scheme in 2024"><span>The government ended its Fair Go for Safe Drivers scheme in 2024</span></a><span>, which offered a 50 per cent discount on licence renewal fees for drivers with good records.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead, drivers may be eligible for a caution instead of some speeding fines or road offences.</span></div></div><div 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