Jon Morgan, founder of the Traffic Offender’s Intervention Program, said there was no excuse to be abreast of the new laws and there were a couple main ones to keep in mind while travelling in and out of town. 

The Law: Drivers are required to slow down to 40km/h when they are passing emergency service vehicles with flashing lights. The limit applies on all roads when police, ambulance, fire, SES or rescue vehicles are stopped and have their red or blue lights flashing.

Mr Morgan said the fire brigade he is a part of came back from the Uranquinty fires the other day and a lot of them mentioned how fast drivers were going. 

“It’s really important that drivers slow down and take due care,” he said. 

“When emergency services, such as firefighters, are on a scene they are concentrating on the problem at hand and they need to be able to do that.” 

The Law: The penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving in NSW increased from four to five demerit points. Learner, P1- and P2-licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. For fully licenced drivers and motorcyclists and all bicycle riders, mobile phones under certain conditions. 

Mr Morgan said this is one of the biggest ones to take note of because if a P-Plater is caught committing this offence, they immediately lose their license. 

“The big selling point is that the mobile phone can be dangerous,” he said.

“I think it’s a great one for the young ones who might be addicted to their phone.

“It’s an automatic loss of license for three months.” 

Mr Morgran said it is any driver’s responsibility to keep on top of any laws. NSW road rules can be found here. 

Double demerits are in place until Tuesday, January 1. 

Mobile phone offences had an additional demerit point placed on them in September this year, meaning using your phone on the road during the Christmas period could result in the loss of 10 demerit points.  

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