Drivers urged ‘be vigilant on roads’

By Alison Noonan
CRANBOURNE police have urged motorists to be vigilant on the roads during the busy Easter break.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Buchan said he hoped drivers would heed warnings against drink driving and other anti-social behaviour over the long weekend.
He said police would also be pushing for fatigue-free roads in a bid to keep the Easter road toll down.
“We would remind motorists to be patient and take care on the road.
“Drive according to the conditions and be prepared for heavy holiday traffic.
“Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and ensure that your children are properly secured,” he said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera backed the message.
“Just by planning to take a few breaks, you can significantly reduce your risk of an accident,” he said.
“You should pull over and take a 15 to 20 minute power nap at the first sign of fatigue. Just pushing through is not worth the risk.”
Mr Perera said information from the TAC indicated that driving when tired impaired driving skills and could cause motorists to fall asleep at the wheel.
He said the TAC had identified important steps to avoid becoming fatigued:
· Ensure you’ve had suf- ficient, good quality sleep several nights prior to driving a long distance;
· Don’t drive at times when you would ordinarily be sleeping;
· Never drink alcohol — even small quantities — before and during trips;
· Share the driving;
· If you have a long drive ahead, schedule regular stops and take a break at least every two hours;
· Use driver reviver sites.
Mr Perera said drivers travelling during the Easter, Anzac Day or Queen’s Birthday weekend who stop at a driver reviver site before 12 June could win a holiday to Couran Cove Island Resort, in Queensland, or one of 200 petrol cards, valued at $50 each.