Owners of Driver Reviver locations across Australia can now apply for a share in $7.3 million of grant funding to upgrade their sites.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Driver Reviver sites provide a place for drivers and their passengers to stop and have much-needed safety and fatigue breaks along their journey.
“Nothing is more tragic than to have someone taken away from their family, friends and community suddenly,” he said.
“The devastating impacts of road crashes are absolutely gut-wrenching, which is why it is so vital to keep road safety front of mind and on everyone’s radars through programs such as Driver Reviver.
The $7.3m in funding is through Round 2 of the Driver Reviver Upgrade Program, which is designed to allow existing Driver Reviver sites to upgrade amenities and install new equipment.
“It will also allow the establishment of new sites to expand the current network and reach even more road users, with priority given to restoring Driver Reviver sites affected by the horrific bushfires of 2019 and 2020.
“The sites are managed by volunteers from a wide range of service organisations and community groups, who give their time to promote road safety and help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads by providing travellers with free beverages, snacks and conversation.”
There are approximately 190 Driver Reviver sites across Australia.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz added that 34 Driver Reviver locations had already received federal funding under the program’s first round to invest in high-impact signs to promote key road safety messages and awareness of Driver Reviver sites.
“These signs were absolutely vital for keeping people safe as we saw traffic get back on our roads as borders opened and the festive period arrived,” he said.