Photo: The Australian

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino and Minister for Road Safety Luke Donnellan today joined Victoria State Emergency Service volunteers to launch the annual Driver Reviver campaign.

VICSES volunteers will be at more than 40 roadside locations between Thursday and Easter Monday – including on the Hume Highway, Murray Valley Highway and Western Highway – offering free hot drinks and snacks to encourage drivers to take a break and make sure they arrive safely at their destination.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) will support VICSES volunteers by establishing ‘Pit Stops’ at a number of the state’s busiest rest spots, providing free coffee, food, family-friendly activities and prizes.

Today’s Driver Reviver launch also featured a speech from Chris Latimer, whose daughters were both killed in a car accident on New Year’s Day in 1997.

More than a decade after the tragedy, Ms Latimer’s youngest daughter was also involved in a serious road accident. She died several years later from the injuries she sustained.

VICSES volunteers have responded to more than 1300 road crash rescues during the past 12 months.

Drowsiness is a factor in about one-in-ten road deaths, with Easter a particularly dangerous time as thousands of Victorians drive to holiday spots.

Motorists are urged to ensure they are well rested before setting out on a road trip, and to give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination. It is recommended people stop every two hours to either rest or change drivers.