Regional businesses are punching well above their weight in a program aimed at reducing the road toll.
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More than 90 businesses in 23 local government areas – including Parkes – have signed up to this year’s Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme, including four from the Parkes Shire Council area.
“One death on the road is too many and so any initiative that can get people safely home is really worth it,” Dubbo council administrator Michael Kneipp said.
The scheme was launched at the Old Dubbo Gaol on March 1 in a bid to reduce fatigue-related crashes on NSW roads.
The 'Free Cuppa' scheme is a successful initiative that allows drivers who have travelled more than 100 kilometres from the address on their driver’s licence to qualify for a free cup of tea or coffee from the 92 participating businesses in an area that stretches from the Queensland border to the Victorian border across Central and South West NSW.
Among those in attendance were NSW Emergency Services Minister and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, Coordinator of Regional NSW High Productivity Road Transport's Alliance John Morris and the Commissioner NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Mark Gibson.
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that since its inception in 2010, over 5700 free cuppas have been given away from 185 participating businesses throughout 161 cities, towns and villages.
"It's great to see the scheme expanding again this year to include an additional seven council areas in the South West Region," she said.
“Free Cuppa for the Driver' doesn’t just target drivers travelling in cars or caravans but also heavy vehicles.”
Fatigue is one of the biggest killers on NSW roads - contributing to 72 fatal crashes over the last 12 months.
“We’re part of our community so for our police to have to go and knock on someone’s door to say one of their loved ones has been killed … it has a great impact,” Orana Local Area Command Acting Superintendent Scott Tanner said.
“This project… is a great time for that passenger in the car to say ‘okay, we’re going to pull off at the next town and we’re going to have a free cup of coffee’.”
Visit www.freecuppa.com.au for a list of participating businesses or drivers can use the 'Free Cuppa for the Driver' app.
Free Cuppa for the Driver runs until May 31.