Traffic Law

Street wise behind the wheel - keeping young drivers on the road

In this episode we speak with Jane Sanders, Principal Solicitor, The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre about what young drivers need to know about traffic law and how to deal with things that can take them off the road like fines, licence suspensions and licence disqualifications. Jane also gives her top tips for going to Court and dealing with the Police if pulled over. Below are timestamps for some of the key messages and links to resources talked about in the episode.
2:30       Information about The Shopfront and who they help
10:15    Which Court is my traffic matter heard in?
12:15    Traffic fines
14:00    Licence suspensions
19:15    Licence disqualifications
24:30    Going to Court for your traffic matter
29:15    Police Powers
The Shopfront – Factsheets about Traffic law
1 – Getting a driver licence in NSW
3 – Driving without a licence
4 – Licence suspensions and appeals
7 – Serious traffic offences and courts
Free legal help - Traffic Offences
The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre - https://www.theshopfront.org/
Marrickville Legal Centre Youth Legal Service – Ask NALA – Traffic offences - https://www.mlc.org.au/services/youth/
Legal Aid NSW traffic offences guided pathway - https://traffic.guidedpathways.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/
Legal Aid NSW traffic publications – use hyperlink Driving: penalties, licences and insurance - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources
LawAccess NSW – Applying to remove your driver licence disqualification step by step guide - https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/driving_offences_and_crime/driving_and_crime_after_court/SBSG_rem_d_disq.aspx
A second chance for Disqualified Drivers webinar – recorded Feb 2021 -  https://youtu.be/YEAGoeA6pi4
Fines and Work & Development Orders
Transport for NSW - Demerit points, penalties and offences on NSW roads - https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/roads/demerits-offences/index.html
Finefixer NSW guided pathway – https://nsw.finefixer.org.au/
Revenue NSW - Request a review of your fine - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/request-a-review
Nominate another driver if you weren’t responsible for the offence - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/nominate-someone-else
Legal Aid NSW Work and Development Order Service - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/work-and-development-order-service
Police Powers and Young People
Legal Aid NSW Street Smart publication - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/get-street-smart-under-18s-know-your-legal-rights
Youth Hotline – 1800 10 18 10 - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/criminal-law/youth-hotline
To organise a Legal Aid NSW Police Powers workshop at your service use this Request a Talk form - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/workshops/request-a-talk
Traffic offender intervention programs - https://localcourt.nsw.gov.au/local-court/sentencing--orders-and-appeals/sentencing-in-criminal-cases/traffic-offender-intervention-program.html
Legal Aid NSW Legal information for young people videos (created 2021). Available in English, Arabic, Dari and Swahili with or without captions- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLApA5ctFL2pWuf1BhCRAVU0Rje7oZvOTe
Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft

Taking a toll – dealing with toll road debt

Do you have clients who have debts from travelling on toll roads? Listen to this podcast to find out about programs that can help and how Legal Aid NSW lawyers have helped turn people’s lives around by helping them with their tolls debt.
COVID-19 update. If you are supporting clients whose employment or financial situation has been impacted by COVID-19, listen to the podcast to find out how you can get up to 3 months toll credit.
 Referrals and more information
Help with tolls during COVID-19
Transurban Linkt Assist information for community workers helping clients with tolling debt
Contact the Linkt Assist dedicated line for the community sector 1300 110 129
Video for community workers on helping clients with tolling debt
https://tollingombudsman.com.au/
Linkt Assist help for bushfire victims
The Financial Rights Legal
Latest Alert for community workers
Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
Visit the Legal Aid NSW website

A second chance for disqualified drivers

Call to action!
 
Tell us what you really think of 'Law for Community Workers on the go' - help this resource grow and improve.
 
Do you work with people who have lost their driver licence? Losing a driver licence can have a big impact on individuals and families, particularly those who live in regional and rural areas.
Did you know that some drivers can now apply to have their driver disqualification periods removed?
In this podcast we discuss:
new laws that offer a second chance for disqualified drivers
who can apply under this new scheme, and
the things you can do to help your clients get back on the road.
  
Referrals and more information
You can find more information about the new laws and how to apply to get your licence back:
in the Legal Aid NSW brochure called Are you disqualified from driving?
on the Legal Aid NSW website
in the Representing Yourself section of the LawAccess NSW website.
 
Legal Aid NSW can help you work out how to deal with fines. You may be able to get a Work and Development Order which allows you to clear fines through unpaid work, courses, counselling or treatment. For more information or to find a WDO service in your area call 02 9219 5000 or visit our website.