VICSES volunteers boost Easter road safety focus statewide

30/03/2026, 1:31 PM
Road crash survivor Brett Mitchell was safely retrieved by VICSES Lorne Unit volunteers including Unit Controller Chris Jones following a serious motorcycle crash on the Great Ocean Road last April.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers will be out across Victoria this Easter, encouraging drivers to stop and rest at one of many Driver Reviver and TAC Pause Stop locations. Around 30 sites will provide free tea, coffee, and snacks, giving motorists a safe chance to pause before continuing their journeys.

Fatigue is a major factor in road crashes, especially on long regional trips. Drivers are advised to plan breaks every two hours and swap drivers where possible. Driving while tired contributes to about 16 to 20 per cent of all crashes in Victoria.

Brett Mitchell experienced the dangers of the road firsthand last April when he was thrown from his motorcycle and into a nearby gully on the Great Ocean Road near Devil’s Elbow. The steep drop meant a multi-agency high-angle rescue was required involving SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria.

The VICSES Lorne Unit assisted with the rescue, using ropes and specialised equipment to safely access and extract him. Unit Controller Chris Jones and volunteer Phil Walsh also helped Brett’s partner Nicole back to the road and stayed with her throughout the rescue, providing reassurance and explaining the process as Brett was carefully brought to safety.

VICSES volunteers operate the largest road crash rescue network in Australia, with 104 accredited Road Crash Rescue units and 22 Rescue Support Units across the state. In the last financial year (2024/25) VICSES volunteers responded to over 2,500 road crash rescues on Victorian roads. So far in 2025/26, volunteers have already attended more than 2,100 road crash rescues, highlighting the ongoing need for motorists to drive safely and rest when tired.

VICSES Knox Unit volunteer Meg showcases the unit's road crash rescue capability ahead of the Easter long weekend, which will see around 30 Driver Reviver open across Victoria to reduce driver fatigue.

VICSES-operated Driver Reviver sites open this Easter long weekend include Benalla (Mokoan), Cann River, Euroa (Balmattum), Kerang, Marong, Maryborough, Mildura (Lake Cullulleraine), Morwell, Orbost, Ouyen, Rochester and Stratford.

The Driver Reviver program relies on partners including AAMI, FedEx Express, Bushells, Arnott’s, and Sunshine Sugar, while TAC Pause Stops will also operate at select locations throughout the long weekend.

For more information on where you can find a Driver Reviver site this Easter, please visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/driver-reviver.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations

“Fatigue continues to be a leading cause of road trauma in Victoria. Our Driver Reviver sites give drivers a safe place to rest and refresh. A huge thank you to the dedicated volunteers who operate these sites, your commitment to road safety helps to save lives”

“A short break could make the difference between life and death. Our volunteers would much rather serve you a ‘cuppa’ than respond to a preventable road incident.”