About us
Driver Reviver Australia Ltd is a national program that has been operating in Australia since 1989. Powered by volunteers from a wide range of service organisations and community groups, members give up their own time to promote road safety and help to reduce the road toll.
The program is built on a commitment to road safety and the belief that all injuries are preventable and everyone has the right to get home safely.
Fatigue is one of the biggest causes of fatalities on our roads, causing between 20 to 30 per cent of fatal road accidents around Australia — even higher in rural areas. Our rest stops provide drivers and their passengers with a place to take a break, particularly on long trips.
The program operates 180 roadside stops across Australia, providing free tea, coffee and refreshments to encourage drivers to stop, rest and revive, to reducing and encouraging the reduction of the Australian holiday road toll and overall road toll. The majority of our sites operate on public holidays and school holidays and are an ideal place to take a break, especially on a long journey. Some sites, such as those located in Visitor Information Centres, are open every day.
In our long history, volunteers from a range of community groups and organisations such as Lions Clubs, State Emergency Service (SES), Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS), have served more than 23 million cups of tea and coffee, boiled more than five million litres of water, and provided drivers and their families with more than 28 million snacks.
National program structure
Driver Reviver Australia Ltd is a public company limited by guarantee, and is a not-for-profit, established for charitable purposes and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission. The program has a number of national sponsors and is supported and funded by the Federal Government.
The national operations for Driver Reviver Australia Ltd transitioned to Victoria State Emergency Service Authority (VICSES) in 2022, along with assignment of the Driver Reviver Trademarks.
Operations and logistics are managed by a full time National Program Manager.
Government agencies in each state and territory support the national Driver Reviver program and volunteers. This support may include essential safety guidelines, recommendation and approval of site locations, use of rest areas, toilet facilities, shelter and power.
Driver Reviver Board
A new Board of Directors was established in 2022 to oversee the administration and operation of the Driver Reviver program across Australia. The Board of Directors from 1 December 2023 consists of:
- Kate White, Chairperson
- Lisa Borowick, Director
- Samantha Cockfield, Director
- Stephen Griffin, Director
The Driver Reviver Board and National Program Manager can be contacted here.