Reviver stop to wake up weary drivers

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

A "driver reviver stop" will be open to tired motorists in the Waioeka Gorge between Gisborne and Opotiki on Labour Monday.

Police will encourage travellers to take the break on State Highway 2 at the Manganuku Department of Conservation camp ground in the gorge. Free refreshments will be on offer, with a playground for children and educational handouts, entertainment and small give-aways printed with safety messages.

The aim is to raise awareness of the part that tired drivers play in serious crashes in the Waioeka Gorge and around the country.

Transit New Zealand spokesman Daya Govender said the community initiative was the start of longer term driver education strategies addressing the problem of frequent accidents in the Waioeka Gorge.

The section of State Highway 2 covered mountainous terrain for more than 50km and always demanded "full and undivided driver attention".

Tired motorists risked falling asleep at the wheel, reacted more slowly in emergencies and at night, often put others in danger in unexpected situations, he said.

Monday's initiative has been organised and funded by the Eastern Bay Road Safety Committee, which is made up of representatives of national and local authorities. Several Opotiki community groups are also supporting the event.

A multi-agency safety team has been formed to tackle accidents in the gorge, where 67 crashes have been reported in the last five years. Research has pointed to driver fatigue as a significant factor.

The "driver reviver stop" will be promoted at this weekend's Gisborne Wine and Food Festival.

"By targeting a busy day like Labour Monday we expect to encounter drivers who are fatigued after a long weekend, often with families in the car," said Mr Govender.

The "wake-up call" for weary motorists could effectively "drive home the message" about the risks of tiredness, not only to the driver but to passengers and young people who would become drivers, he said.

Tired drivers

Driver fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor in 132 fatal accidents and 1486 injury crashes in the five years from 1999 to 2003.

The cost through the Accident Compensation Corporation last year and so far this year has been more than $15 million.