The NSW police force imposes heavier penalties on a number of driving offences during high-traffic periods around public holidays in a bid to reduce crashes on the state’s roads.

That was the case for Emma Frost, who wracked up four demerit points for speeding over Easter.

But because the double-demerit points applied, her eight-point hit resulted in her provisional licence being disqualified for three months.

The 21-year-old appeared before Armidale Local Court on Monday to reduce her disqualification period.

Magistrate Karen Stafford told Frost the harsher penalties were enforced to reduce the number of deaths on the state’s roads over public holidays.

She singled out the Easter long weekend as a particularly dangerous time to be on the road.

“It’s well publicised that there’s double demerit points,” Magistrate Stafford said.

“That’s because many people die over the Easter break.”

Defence solicitor Robert Bucksath told the court Frost’s driving record was impeccable before the Easter offence.

He asked Magistrate Stafford to reduce the disqualification period so Frost could continue caring for her grandmother.

The disqualification was reduced from three months to two, to allow Frost to transport her grandmother to an October appointment.

The decision came after visiting Magistrate Michael Holmes reduced an Armidale student’s licence disqualification to five day earlier this month.

The driver was also caught over the Easter long weekend.