RESULTS from the 2014 Free Cuppa for the Driver campaign show the continuing need for a program in future years to tackle fatigue driving, according to Dubbo City Council's Road Safety Officer.
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Jayne Bleechmore said the Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme operated from March 3 to May 30, a period that included the April school holidays and the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays, incorporating 13 local councils across the region from Lithgow to Moree and beyond.
She was impressed by how many free coffees and teas were given away to travelling drivers throughout the region by eager and committed local businesses.
"It became obvious at the start of this year's campaign that we had some very proactive anti-fatigue advocates among our 52 participating businesses," she said.
"The BP Service Station in Condobolin tallied up 215 free cuppas, which is a tremendous effort, while Two Fat Ladies in Lucknow, the Rabbit Trap Hotel in Albert, the Caltex Star Shop in Gilgandra and the Superbee Honey Shop in Forbes gave away up to 200 cups in each of their towns.
"We like to think that with more than 940 free cuppas being provided to drivers, that the campaign has achieved its goal of encouraging those driving long distances to take a break, get out of the vehicle and walk around while enjoying their cup of coffee, thereby potentially saving lives."
She said in addition to serving tea and coffee to travellers, the campaign provided useful strategies for recognising fatigue and taking steps to avoid it.
Mrs Bleechmore said surveys carried out on participating drivers and businesses found the 60+ age group used the scheme the most (36 per cent) followed by the 50-59 age group (21 per cent) and the 40-49 age group (20 per cent).
Other findings included:
o Almost 73 per cent of drivers that participated in the scheme were from NSW
o Almost 80 per cent of the drivers that participated in the scheme were travelling to a destination within NSW
o Most vehicles reported multiple passengers (67 per cent had two or more people in the vehicle).
o Most drivers were on holidays, visiting family or just wandering (28 per cent on holidays, 31 per cent visiting family and 12 per cent wandering).
"The project would not have been possible without our enthusiastic businesses and their feedback has been encouraging and helpful in planning the 2015 project," Mrs Bleechmore said.
