THE LAW SOCIETY of NSW has condemned the new drivers licence demerit point system released for public comment, arguing it fails to take into account the concerns of the legal profession about its underlying rationale.

“The Law Society made a number of submissions about the scheme, all of which were rejected by the Minister for Roads,” said Law Society president Gordon Salier.

The Law Society argued there was a need for the legislation to be amended so that if an offence is proven but no conviction is recorded by the court, the RTA does not record the demerit points.

“In effect, this is a two-tier punishment regime which can simultaneously produce opposing outcomes,” Salier said.

“The government has said that the demerit scheme requires careful consideration. We agree, and intend to keep the issue on the public agenda.”