Victorians hitting the roads this Easter long weekend are being urged to plan ahead, take regular breaks, and drive to the conditions to stay safe.
The Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) together launched the Easter Driver Reviver program.
More than 60 Victorians have tragically lost their lives on Victorian roads this year – with a concerning trend revealing almost half of these fatalities have occurred on weekends.
Fatigue remains a major issue on Victoria’s roads, and drivers are being urged to get enough rest, allow plenty of travel time, plan a break from the road every two hours and swap drivers where possible.
The Driver Reviver program, which has been operating for over 30 years, is run by volunteers, funded by sponsors, and supported by the Allan Labor Government.
The TAC will further support the program by establishing ‘Pause Stops’ at various rest spots, offering free coffee, food, family-friendly activities, and prizes.
For more information on Driver Reviver and Pause Stop locations, visit ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/driver-reviver.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“Every death on our roads is a tragedy – we want to make sure every Victorian gets home safely this long weekend.”
“If you’re feeling tired behind the wheel, remember to pull over, take a break, and if possible switch drivers – it could save your life.”
As stated by Tim Wiebusch VICSES Chief Officer Operations
“We know fatigue is one of the big killers on Victorian roads and to help combat that, our VICSES run Driver Reviver sites offer a place for motorists to take a break and enjoy a free coffee, tea or snack.”
As stated by Transport Accident Commission Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield
“Fatigue is a major contributor to road trauma, particularly when people are driving long distances, so it’s important to have had a good night’s sleep, plan your trip, take a break every two hours and change drivers if possible.”
