Driver Reviver is back this Easter to keep motorists safe

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

This Easter more than 30 sites will be set up across the state activated by volunteers, where drivers can pull in, grab a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, but most importantly, they can stop and recharge before getting back on the road.

Together, 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  were called to more than 2,100 road crash rescues across the state last year providing life-saving extrications when people are trapped.

Fatigue is a major contributor to road trauma, particularly when people are traveling long distances on regional roads, so it’s important to plan your trip to include a break every two hours and change drivers, if possible.

Driving when tired is a contributing factor in 16 to 20 per cent of all road crashes in Victoria.

TAC research shows that 65 per cent of drivers admit to driving while “quite tired”, while 21 per cent admitted to driving while “very tired”.

Knoxfield resident Ismo was involved in a serious car crash last October after his vehicle collided with a pole, leaving him trapped.

He suffered extensive injuries including a punctured lung, seven fractured ribs, a broken wrist and tibia, as well as severe lacerations to his head.  

Today, Ismo was reunited in Melbourne with the highly trained VICSES road crash rescue volunteers from the SES Knox Unit, thanking those who had played such an important role in saving his life. Twelve of our dedicated SES Knox Unit volunteers responded to the scene, working tirelessly for over an hour to safely extricate him.

So far in 2025, SES Knox Unit volunteers have attended 32 road crash rescue incidents.

Tragically, there have already been 75 lives lost on Victorian roads in 2025. Every life lost is one too many, and this Easter, emergency service crews will be doing everything within their power to prevent needless tragedies on our roads.

VICSES provides the largest road rescue network in Australia, with 104 accredited Road Crash Rescue provider units across Victoria, and 22 Rescue Support Units.

VICSES units activating Driver Reviver sites over the long weekend will include: Benalla, Cann River, Euroa, Kerang, Marong, Maryborough, Mildura, Morwell, Numurkah, Orbost, Ouyen, Rochester, Rushworth, St Arnaud, Tambo Valley and Warragul.

The Driver Reviver program relies on the generosity of each of its partners: AAMI, FedEx Express, Bushells, Arnott’s, and Sunshine Sugar to enable each of its sites to operate. 

TAC Pause Stop locations will also be set up at Marong, Jeetho, Bungalally and Balmattum North on Good Friday, and at Balmattum South, Drouin and Marong on Easter Monday.

The TAC will also have Pause Stops set up during the Anzac Day long weekend at Balmattum South and Marong on April 27.

For more information on Driver Reviver and Pause Stop locations, visit ses.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations

“We know fatigue is one of the big killers on Victorian roads and to help combat that, our VICSES run Driver Reviver sites to 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 ones lives.”

“As the largest road crash rescue provider in the state, our SES volunteers would much rather serve you a free cuppa than respond to an accident further down the road.”