As Aussies emerge for post-lockdown road trips, drivers are urged to put road safety at the top of their Christmas wish list.
Driver Reviver National Director, Allan McCormac and National Operations Manager, Amy Miles said: ``The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in domestic road travel, making Driver Reviver sites more relevant than ever.’’
``While it’s wonderful that everyone is excited to be back on the roads visiting family and friends and holidaying after so long, we all need to look after each other on the roads so we reach our destinations safely.’’
``Whether it’s ensuring the driver is well rested and comfortable, sharing the driving or encouraging a break every two hours along the route, we can all do our bit for road safety.’’
Driver fatigue is one of the biggest causes of road fatalities. Fatigue-related crashes are almost three times as likely to be fatal than crashes not involving fatigue. There were 1134 fatalities on Australian roads in the 12 months to October 2021.
Driver Reviver thanked the thousands of volunteers from organisations including Lions Clubs, SES, Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) who ``help reduce the road toll and always welcome you with a cup of Bushells tea or coffee, an Arnott’s biscuit and a friendly smile’’.
The Driver Reviver program truly is a commitment to the community by our partners Bushells Tea, Bushells Coffee, The Arnott’s Foundation, Sunshine Sugar, AAMI and with help this year from Viva Energy Australia, the official Shell licensee in Australia, to distribute refreshment items across our 188 sites.
Over 25 million free teas and coffees and 28 million snacks have been served to drivers and their passengers since 1990, which aims to promote road safety and reduce the road toll at high-risk holiday times like Christmas.
Driver Reviver site locations and operating hours can be viewed at www.driverreviver.com.au.
TIPS FROM DRIVER REVIVER
§ Begin long trips well rested
§ Plan a break at least every 2 hours
§ Share the driving where possible
§ Avoid driving when you would usually be sleeping
STATS & FIGURES
§ Driver Reviver Sites: 188
§ People served: 500,000 – 700,000 annually
§ Refreshments served since 1990: 25 million teas/coffees and 28 million snacks