This long weekend, volunteers will activate over 30 Driver Reviver sites across the state to encourage drivers to take a break and help avoid fatigue on the road.

VICSES volunteers together with Lions, Rotary, and RSL clubs will offer motorists free tea, coffee and biscuits and a safe place to rest and refresh at roadside stops.

Driver Reviver has been powered by volunteers Australia-wide for more than thirty years, with a mission to save lives by reducing fatigue-related road trauma.

VICSES is urging community members to be patient, safe, and responsible this Easter, but most importantly, to take a break.

VICSES volunteers from Sunbury and Gisborne Units perform a road crash rescue demonstration

Statewide, VICSES volunteers responded to 1,336 road rescues in the last financial year (2021/22) and will be on high alert with many people expected to hit the road over Easter.

VICSES provides the largest road rescue network in Victoria, with 104 accredited principal Road Crash Rescue Units, and 22 Rescue Support Units.

VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers attending Lisa's road crash incident in 1996

Author Lisa Constantine was involved in a serious car crash in Seaford in 1996. Today, she was at AAMI Park in Melbourne and was reunited with the VICSES road crash rescue volunteers from the Frankston Unit who cut her free from the car 26 years ago. She suffered life-threatening injuries at the time but is forever thankful to her rescuers who cut her from her vehicle and helped save her life.

Lisa Constantine is reunited with VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers Brian McMannis and Darren Morgan

Lisa now promotes road safety at every opportunity and is passionate about the importance of preventative programs like Driver Reviver.

A woman who survived a horrific car crash 26 years ago has been reunited with the SES volunteers who cut her from her wrecked vehicle at Seaford. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/GG2RVrWwfO

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 5, 2023

Fatigue is one of the biggest contributors to deaths on our roads, and with an estimated 17 per cent of motor vehicle fatalities in Victoria related to sleep deprivation. It is important to make the time to take routine breaks, at least every two hours, when planning a long drive.

Driver Reviver relies on its program sponsors: AAMI, Shell V-Power, Bushells, Arnott’s and Sunshine Sugar to enable site volunteers to operate.

Holidaymakers are already on the move, hitting the road early ahead of the Easter break. @nearyty_9 #9News pic.twitter.com/5kzhCJp9tv

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) April 5, 2023

This weekend, Driver Reviver sites will be activated by volunteers at the following locations: Avenel, Balmattum, Bears Lagoon, Beaufort, Bruthen, Cann River, Colac, Coleraine, Donald, Dunkeld, Green Lake, Kaniva, Kerang, Lismore, Lockington, Longwarry North, Marong, Maryborough, Mildura/Lake Cullulleraine, Morwell, Murchison, Newmerella, Ouyen, Rochester, Rushworth, Seymour, Stawell and Wedderburn.

TAC will support existing Driver Reviver activations with their Pause Stop initiative at Balmattum and Longwarry North.

For the full list including operating hours and to plan your journey visit: ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/driver-reviver.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Chief Officer, Operations, Tim Wiebusch:

“VICSES volunteers play a critical role in providing road crash rescue response, but we would much rather serve you a free cup of coffee than have to cut you from a car further down the road.”

“Take regular breaks on the road this weekend, stop and stretch your legs every two hours.”

“I’m so grateful to the SES volunteers and other service club volunteers who will give up their Easter weekend to activate Driver Reviver sites and help reduce the road toll.”

Quotes attributable to Lisa Constantine, road accident survivor:

“I am very grateful to the SES volunteers that had saved my life in 1996; I would not be standing here today if not for the role they played.”

“I am so fortunate to the SES team on the day and cannot stress to motorists enough, the importance of managing driver fatigue and ensuring you take enough breaks on the road this public holiday weekend.”

Quotes attributable to Matt Pugliese, Head of Motor Claims, AAMI (Proud community partner of VICSES and Driver Reviver)

“As a partner of both VICSES and Driver Reviver, we are proud to support these community programs which help keep Aussie drivers safe on our roads.”

“The Easter holiday period is one of the busiest times of the year on Victorian roads, so it’s vital that drivers are well rested when they get behind the wheel.”

“We urge everyone taking a road trip over Easter to visit a Driver Reviver site to take a break – it could save your life or someone else’s.”

To read more stories about our work in Road Crash Rescue (RCR), click here.