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The New Year is almost here.
But while many of us will be quietly nursing hangovers and enjoying a public holiday, the first day of the year is actually a busy time when it comes to big rule changes such as new laws and regulations, fees and charges and taxes and benefits.
Here’s what you need to know for January 1, 2020.
WARNING FOR MOTORISTS
From January 1, the Western Australian Government will scrap regular speed camera location updates from the WA Police Force.
Until now, the state’s police force provided motorists with information on where speed cameras were set up on a particular day, but in 2020, that tradition will end in a bid to catch speeding drivers.
Instead, it will provide a list of around 1800 locations around the state which may or may not have a camera in place – so don’t get stung.
From January 1, the Western Australian Government will scrap speed camera location updates. Picture: iStockSource:istock
The Queensland Government has also announced harsher penalties to come for drivers who use their mobile phone illegally while driving.
From February 1, the penalties for illegally using a mobile phone while driving are increasing from a $400 fine and three demerit points to a $1000 fine and four demerit points in a bid to curb dangerous behaviour.
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The increased penalties mean that some licence holders, like learners and P-Platers, could lose their licence from just one offence.
Meanwhile, road tolls are also set to jump in Sydney in the new year, with the new M4 rising by 4 per cent to $8.20 for motorists driving from Parramatta to Haberfield, while other roads will be hit by a quarterly 1 per cent increase.
And from January 17, NSW drivers busted throwing lit cigarettes from their car will be slugged with a $660 fine – and the loss of five demerit points, the first time a demerit point penalty has been imposed on this type of offence.
But those penalties will be doubled if an offence occurs during total fire ban periods to 10 demerit points and a fine of up to $11,000.
NSW Rural Fire Service Association President Brian McDonough praised the crackdown.
“This reckless behaviour puts the safety of firefighting volunteers at risk,” Mr McDonough said in a statement.
“I hope this move makes people think very carefully about the consequences of their actions next time they go to discard a lit cigarette.”
To report someone who has thrown a lit cigarette out the window of a vehicle, contact the NSW Rural Fire Service hotline on 1800 679 737.
The New Year is almost here.
But while many of us will be quietly nursing hangovers and enjoying a public holiday, the first day of the year is actually a busy time when it comes to big rule changes such as new laws and regulations, fees and charges and taxes and benefits.
Here’s what you need to know for January 1, 2020.
WARNING FOR MOTORISTS
From January 1, the Western Australian Government will scrap regular speed camera location updates from the WA Police Force.
Until now, the state’s police force provided motorists with information on where speed cameras were set up on a particular day, but in 2020, that tradition will end in a bid to catch speeding drivers.
Instead, it will provide a list of around 1800 locations around the state which may or may not have a camera in place – so don’t get stung.
From January 1, the Western Australian Government will scrap speed camera location updates. Picture: iStockSource:istock
The Queensland Government has also announced harsher penalties to come for drivers who use their mobile phone illegally while driving.
From February 1, the penalties for illegally using a mobile phone while driving are increasing from a $400 fine and three demerit points to a $1000 fine and four demerit points in a bid to curb dangerous behaviour.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Opinions you can't ignore. Watch Rita Panahi 9am Sundays, Sky News. For more
The increased penalties mean that some licence holders, like learners and P-Platers, could lose their licence from just one offence.
Meanwhile, road tolls are also set to jump in Sydney in the new year, with the new M4 rising by 4 per cent to $8.20 for motorists driving from Parramatta to Haberfield, while other roads will be hit by a quarterly 1 per cent increase.
And from January 17, NSW drivers busted throwing lit cigarettes from their car will be slugged with a $660 fine – and the loss of five demerit points, the first time a demerit point penalty has been imposed on this type of offence.
But those penalties will be doubled if an offence occurs during total fire ban periods to 10 demerit points and a fine of up to $11,000.
NSW Rural Fire Service Association President Brian McDonough praised the crackdown.
“This reckless behaviour puts the safety of firefighting volunteers at risk,” Mr McDonough said in a statement.
“I hope this move makes people think very carefully about the consequences of their actions next time they go to discard a lit cigarette.”
To report someone who has thrown a lit cigarette out the window of a vehicle, contact the NSW Rural Fire Service hotline on 1800 679 737.
