SES volunteers will be out and about this Easter Monday, working to help keep road users safe.
As part of the Driver Reviver program, volunteers will be providing free refreshments to encourage drivers to take a break and rest and recharge before continuing their journeys.
Driver Reviver sites will be open on Monday, 21 April, from 10am to 4pm at:
- Fossey River rest area, Murchison Highway near Mt Pearce
- Raspins Beach, Orford
- Valentine Park, Campbell Town
Fatigue-related crashes can happen on any trip, no matter how long or short or what time of day. It’s estimated that in Tasmania driving when tired is a contributing factor in between 15 and 20 per cent of all road crashes.
Recent research from Monash University and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) found that the risk of crashing after five hours sleep is more than four times higher than after having eight hours of sleep.
“The Driver Reviver sites offer a simple but effective solution to help all drivers make it home safely –a safe place to stop and have a break, a cuppa and a friendly chat to an SES volunteer” said the Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council, Scott Tilyard.
“We urge all drivers to plan and take regular breaks when travelling this Easter. Taking a break during your journey is a simple step that could save not only your life but the lives of others.”
The Driver Reviver program is a community safety initiative managed by the Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC), with support from the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB), State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and national sponsors.
Tips on how to beat fatigue
- Get at least seven hours’ sleep the night before your journey
- Plan your route before setting off, including where you’ll take a break.
- If you feel yourself yawning and losing focus, find a safe area to stop and rest.
- Take regular breaks from the road, at least every two hours.
- Consider swapping drivers where possible.
- Don’t drink alcohol before your trip- even a small account can significantly contribute to driver fatigue.