PROVIDING opportunities for local communities to contribute to addressing fatigue-related road trauma, the Driver Reviver program brings Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES) volunteers together with Lions Club, Rotary and RSL members to set up safe places for motorists to stop and refresh as they travel throughout regional Victoria.
With more than 45 Driver Reviver sites operated around Victoria on holiday weekends and peak traffic days, the Murchison SES Unit is one volunteer group that goes above and beyond in its bid to promote the slogan, ‘break your drive, to stay alive.’
Operating from the Calder Woodburn rest area, northbound on the Goulburn Valley Highway or from the Wharing truck stop, southbound on the same route, the Murchison Unit takes pride in providing not only free tea, coffee and water to weary travellers, but a free barbeque, biscuits and activities for the kids as well.
With the aid of a visual management system, generously loaned by Game Traffic Management last Easter Monday, the Murchison team of three volunteers, Stephen Addison, Jo Sapwell and Margaret Ford were able to pull enough vehicles to give away around 150kg of sausages, topped with a whopping 4kg of onions.
Back again on Friday, June 9 from 1-7pm at Calder Woodburn rest area, Stephen said, “It is essential for motorists to rest every two hours and by so doing, lives are saved. Although we offer free food, activities for the kids and even biscuits and water for furry friends, it is the message that is most important, making sure that every driver understands that even a small break can prevent fatigue-related road trauma.”
