A WA parliamentary question seeks data on driver's license suspensions due to demerit points and police discretion regarding unlicensed drivers unaware of their suspension. The response provides suspension figures but lacks data on police discretion, referencing relevant laws instead.

AnsweredQoN 277Legislative Council
Asked
10 May 2006
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

DRIVERS’ LICENCES - SUSPENSION
(1) How many drivers’ licences have been suspended due to loss of demerit points in the past financial year and so far this year? (2) On how many occasions have the police chosen not to charge drivers for driving without a licence because the drivers were not aware that their licences had been suspended? (3) Is it standard practice for police not to issue infringement notices or lay charges against unlicensed drivers involved in accidents on the ground that drivers were not aware that their licences had been suspended? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
(2) On how many occasions have the police chosen not to charge drivers for driving without a licence because the drivers were not aware that their licences had been suspended? (3) Is it standard practice for police not to issue infringement notices or lay charges against unlicensed drivers involved in accidents on the ground that drivers were not aware that their licences had been suspended? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
(3) Is it standard practice for police not to issue infringement notices or lay charges against unlicensed drivers involved in accidents on the ground that drivers were not aware that their licences had been suspended? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
(1) In 2004-05, 9 808 demerit point suspensions; 2005-April 2006, 8 778 demerit point suspensions (2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
(2) This information is not recorded by police. (3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.
(3) Police issue infringement notices in accordance with a number of relevant laws and, when cautioning drivers who drive when their driver’s licence is suspended, would refer to section 49A of the Road Traffic Act.

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