Victorians are being urged to ensure they are well-rested and take breaks when travelling over the festive period, as many people prepare to take summer road trips for the first time in two years.
For many, the chance to reunite with loved ones may entail driving long distances, at higher speeds and on unfamiliar roads for the first time in a long time.
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Chief Executive Joe Calafiore said that prior planning is the key to ensuring road safety on long drives.
“Victorians deserve a happy and relaxing summer with those closest to them, and the key to that is planning ahead,” Mr Calafiore said.
“If you find yourself daydreaming, missing exits or drifting from your lane, take a break and consider a 15-minute power nap.
“There are plenty of places to stop all throughout the state, take your time so you can get to your destination safely.”
According to the TAC, fatigue is one of the biggest risks associated with driving in these circumstances, with data showing drowsy driving contributes to 16-20% of all fatalities on Victorian roads.
Sleep deprivation has also been identified as a significant risk-factor, with research showing that being awake for 17 hours can have the same effect on your driving ability as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.
Drivers are encouraged to plan a rest break every two hours.
The TAC will be helping drivers stay rested with ‘Pause Stops’ along major regional routes, where people can enjoy complimentary barista-made coffee, comfortable deck chairs for a 15-minute powernap and games to entertain children while parents relax.
Pause Stops will also host a range of market stalls run by local businesses to support local economies after what has been another difficult year for the state’s tourism industry.
Minister for Roads Ben Carroll said that taking a break in regional areas will have multiple benefits.
“Taking a break during long drives not only helps combat drowsy driving, it is also a great opportunity to contribute to local economies on your way to visit family and friends this summer,” Minister Carroll said.
The TAC has worked closely with the Victorian SES to identify key locations for rest stops along major, high-traffic arterial roads.
The TAC’s Pause Stops will complement the SES’s Driver Reviver sites which will also be set up across the state.
Further information on the Pause location sites and map of their locations can be found at tac.vic.gov.au/pausestop
