Call for road caution in wake of record year for VICSES crash response

30/12/2025, 12:48 PM
VICSES Morwell Unit was one of several VICSES units to operate Driver Reviver sites at Christmas.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers are urging motorists to take additional care and seek regular rest when travelling over the holiday period, following a record year for VICSES road crash rescue (RCR) responders.

VICSES volunteers across the state were called to more than 2,500 RCR-related incidents in the 2024/25 financial year, a figure more than 500 higher than in 2023/24 and a nearly 70 per cent increase on 2022/23 data.

While units on Melbourne’s metropolitan fringe such as Pakenham (177) and Craigieburn (147) were the busiest in the state during this period, regional units such as Bendigo (107), South Barwon (102), Kilmore (78), Morwell (63) and Mildura (60) highlight just how wide-ranging the risk of road trauma has been in recent times.

Some 105 VICSES units across Victoria are accredited to respond to RCR emergencies, often affecting rescues through the use of hydraulic cutter and spreader tools such as the ‘jaws of life’. They regularly respond alongside emergency service partners such as Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and fire services to assess and extricate patients trapped following vehicle crashes, saving lives in the process.

A further 20 units provide general support to other services during road crash emergencies.

With an expected uptick in road traffic over the summer holiday period, VICSES volunteers are calling on all road users to exercise extra care when driving over coming weeks, in order to limit their risk of requiring an emergency road crash response.

Driver Reviver sites operate throughout the year with a focus on major holidays in an effort to limit fatigue-related road crashes.

To aid drivers in their travels, VICSES volunteers will join partner volunteer agencies including Lions Clubs, Rotary, Roadsafe Committees and Returned and Services League personnel in operating free Driver Reviver sites at rest stops along major regional thoroughfares statewide, offering free tea, coffee and snacks and encouraging motorists to stop and enjoy vital rest before recommencing their journey.

Volunteers will also be on hand to discuss strategies with which to limit fatigue-related road crashes, promoting drivers have breaks at least every two hours, rotate driving responsibility where possible and drive to the conditions at all times, particularly as Victoria continues through its high risk weather season.

Driver Reviver sites are open throughout the holiday period, with major activations centred around key travel days such as New Year’s Eve. The initiative has played an important role in keeping Australian roads safer for more than 35 years, serving over 50 million motorists in the process.

For more information about Driver Reviver locations and specific opening times this summer, visit www.driverreviver.com.au/driver-reviver-sites.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Chief Officer Operations:

“This summer, our volunteers would much rather serve you tea, coffee and snacks at a driver reviver site than have to cut you out of a vehicle following a road accident.

“Take regular breaks, drive to the conditions and always prioritise arriving safely over arriving on time.”

Quotes attributable to Vicki Ward, Minister for Emergency Services:

“Our hardworking VICSES volunteers have responded to thousands of road crash rescues this year, and that’s why it’s so important that every driver prioritises safety over speed this holiday season.

"Please take regular breaks, share the driving where you can and always adjust to the road conditions. By doing so, you can help keep our communities safe and spare families from the heartbreak of road trauma.”

Quotes attributable to Ashley Pittard, National Manager Driver Reviver:

“Whether it’s ensuring the driver is well rested or ensuring a break every two hours at a Driver Reviver site with free refreshments, we can all do our bit to stay safe this holiday season.

“Driver Reviver volunteers are dedicated to reducing road trauma and are ready to serve you on your journey.  They know that every single death and injury has significant impacts on local communities and families, changes lives forever and they want you to Stop, Rest, Revive, Survive.”