25 Mar 2013
Media Release: 25 March, 2013
Fifty-two Driver Reviver sites will operate across Victoria over the Easter long weekend, encouraging motorists to rest and stay safe.
This year's Easter Driver Reviver campaign was officially launched on Monday at an event on Southbank Boulevard which included a live demonstration of a road rescue by Victoria State emergency Service (SES) volunteers.
This year SES has joined forces with TAC to spread a clear message to drivers: Rest or rescue.
Research shows that being awake for 17 hours has the same effect on your driving ability as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05. The only way to cure fatigue is to sleep and a 15-minute powernap could save your life.
Driver Reviver sites offer a safe place for drivers to pull over and take a powernap. SES and Lions Club volunteers will be onsite with free tea, coffee and music download cards to help drivers refresh.
With 103 units accredited to perform road rescue across the state, SES is the largest road rescue provider in Australia.
SES CEO Mary Barry said it was critical that motorists were well-rested before embarking on a long journey.
"2012 claims data from AAMI, our principal partner, show a nearly 50 per cent spike in accidents on Victorian roads the evening before Good Friday, most of which occurred between 4pm and midnight," she said.
"In the last year alone our volunteers have attended close to 900 road crash rescues.
"It really is much more enjoyable for our SES volunteers to have a friendly chat and serve you a cuppa at a driver reviver site than be faced with the trauma of cutting you out of your vehicle after a collision."
"I want to thank our principal partner AAMI, and other road safety partners TAC (Transport Accident Commission), Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and other community services who deal with the aftermath of road collisions and want to stop fatigue related collisions on our roads."
TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore reminded all Victorians to stop and have a break while on long road trips.
"A 15-minute powernap is a simple way to overcome fatigue, and can be best done at a Driver Reviver site.
"Free music downloads will also be available to encourage young people to have a break during their road trip.
"This Easter, the TAC will be reminding people to make the most of the Driver Reviver sites. There will also be a reminder to stick to the road rules, with our television advertisements 'The Party's Over', warning drivers that police are looking our for impaired and speeding drivers this weekend. This message will also be spread across the state.
Remember to plan ahead if you're going on a road trip the Easter: get away from the wheel and share the driving wherever possible," Ms Dore said.
If you're taking a trip over Easter, visit a Driver Reviver site to take a break. For a full list of sites and their operating hours, visit the State Emergency Service, Places to Stop.
Captions for images below:
1: The TAC and SES have brought to life the Rest or Rescue message at Southbank this week.
2: SES CEO Mary Barry and TAC CEO Janet Dore.
3: SES CEO Mary Barry, TAC CEO Janet Dore and Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Robert Hill.
Media queries only:
- Nicolas McGay, 0403 710 889 or Nicolas_McGay@tac.vic.gov.au
- Alex White, 0419 529 505 or Alex_White@tac.vic.gov.au
- Devon McGillicuddy, 0466 029 169 or Devon_McGillicuddy@tac.vic.gov.au
Please refer any other enquiries to:
- Online form
- Tel: 1300 654 329
- Email: info@tac.vic.gov.au