Organisers of the award-winning ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme are inviting local businesses to register for phase seven of the successful driver fatigue awareness campaign which will operate from March 1 to May 31, 2017.
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The scheme encourages visiting drivers to stop at participating businesses for a free cup of tea or coffee so as to take a break from driving long distances.
Now in its seventh year, the scheme sees partnerships formed between participating Councils and local businesses.
The Councils provide the marketing and resources while the businesses provide the free tea and/or coffee.
Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Logan Dolbel, said the scheme is a win for road safety as drivers take a rest break and a win for local towns and businesses who attract more visitors and customers.
"Last year participating businesses reported an almost 30% increase in sales as drivers would usually purchase something else with their free cuppa," Mr Dolbel said.
“We also know that two thirds of vehicles that participated in the scheme contained multiple passengers who also purchased goods.”
The scheme will be operating throughout at least 17 local government areas within Western and South Western NSW.
“This essentially means the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme now covers almost all of the Western and South Western areas of NSW stretching from the Victorian border north to the Queensland border and includes highways like the Castlereagh, Gwydir, Golden, Great Western, Hume, Mitchell, Newell and Oxley which drivers use for work, holidaying or touring,” Mr Dolbel said.
Since its inception in 2010, the 'Free Cuppa for the Driver' scheme through its 182 participating businesses has given away 5,700 free cuppas throughout 63 cities, towns and villages in Western NSW.
"There were 16 participating businesses across Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shires during phase six last year and at this early stage we have already received several local business registrations. In phase seven we'd love to welcome even more businesses,” Mr Dolbel said.
The closing date for phase seven registrations is Monday, October 31.
If your business would like to participate in the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme please contact Logan Dolbel on (02) 6861 2364 or email logan.dolbel@parkes.nsw.gov.au
