VICSES volunteers are encouraging motorists to break up their travels at Driver Reviver pop-up sites across the state this Easter long-weekend, in a concerted effort to reduce road trauma over the holiday period.

VICSES volunteers will power around 30 Driver Reviver sites alongside Lions Club, Rotary and RSL members, ahead of expected spikes in traffic throughout the weekend, continuing a nationwide tradition which has operated for more than 30 years.

Volunteers will provide free tea, coffee, and snacks at a range of roadside rest stops throughout Victoria, promoting fatigue management among motorists travelling to enjoy the Easter break.

VICSES volunteers attended 1,511 road rescues during the last financial year (2022/23), and with 295 lives lost on Victorian roads during the same period, volunteers will this weekend be on high alert to prevent further road trauma.

Wandong resident Andrew Price was involved in a serious car crash only three minutes from his home address last June.

He suffered extensive injuries including a punctured lung, severe fractures to his legs, and a broken sternum, and was given only a 20 per cent chance of survival.

Today, Andrew was reunited at AAMI Park in Melbourne with the highly trained VICSES road crash rescue volunteers from the Kilmore Unit, thanking those who had played such an important role in saving his life.

So far in 2024, VICSES Kilmore Unit volunteers have already attended eight fatal crashes in what has been a horror start to 2024.

This weekend, Driver Reviver sites will be activated by volunteers including at: Balmattum (north and southbound), Bruthen, Cann River, Kerang, Longwarry North, Marong, Maryborough, Lake Cullulleraine (Mildura), Morwell, Newmerella and in the Tambo Valley at Swifts Creek.

The program relies on each of its sponsors: AAMI, Shell V-Power, Bushells, Arnott’s and Sunshine Sugar to enable each of its sites to operate.

TAC will also support existing Driver Reviver activations with its Pause Stop initiative at Balmattum, Marong, Lismore and Morwell.

For the full list of sites and operating hours, and to plan your journey, visit:

ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/driver-reviver.

Quotes attributable to Tim Wiebusch, VICSES Chief Officer Operations

“We know fatigue is one of the big killers on Victorian roads and to help combat that, our VICSES volunteers run Driver Reviver sites offer a place for motorists to take a break and enjoy a free coffee, tea or snack.”

“A break to stop, rest and refresh could save your life and your loved one’s lives. As the largest road crash rescue provider in the state, our SES volunteers would much rather give you a free cuppa and have a friendly chat than respond to a motor vehicle accident further down the road.”