TAC breath tests ramp up as festival season peaks

08 Mar 2017

Transport Accident Commission breath testing teams are preparing for their busiest weekend ever as the festival season hits its peak over the Labour Day long weekend.

The TAC will spread out across 11 Victorian locations this weekend, with free breath tests to help revellers, foodies, sports fans and families get home safely.

The TAC’s Pit Stops will also spring up at six Toll Driver Reviver sites, giving motorists free barista coffees and a chance to rest or enjoy some fun activities.

The activities will coincide with a highly visible Victoria Police presence on the state’s roads, targeting speed, drink and drug driving and distraction.

TAC senior road safety manager Samantha Cockfield said more than 10,000 free breath tests would be issued over the three-day weekend, more than any other weekend in the TAC’s 30-year history.

“It’s a busy weekend on Victorians’ calendars and we will be there, on the ground, helping everyone to make safe choices about how they get home,” Ms Cockfield said.

The TAC’s youth arm, Vanessa, will be at Golden Plains music festival near Meredith, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Daylesford’s Chillout Festival and Pitch Music and Arts Festival, near Halls Gap. The TAC has also funded a bus to ferry festival goers between Warrnambool and Port Fairy over the weekend.

TAC breath testers will also be at A Taste of Rutherglen food and wine festival, the Groundswell music festival in Lake Tyers and a Weekend in the Gardens at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Country racing fans at the Mildura Cup, the Towong Cup and the Stony Creek Cup will also have access to free breath tests, as will soccer fans at Melbourne Victory’s clash with Perth Glory at AAMI Park.

“We want everyone to separate drinking from driving altogether but we encourage those who do feel they can have a couple of drinks to take advantage of the free breath,” Ms Cockfield said.

“Timing your intake of standard drinks is far from an exact science and alcohol affects your ability to drive safely, even at very low levels,” Ms Cockfield said.

The TAC also urged motorists to plan their weekend road trips, ensuring they had plenty of sleep before setting out and factoring in rest stops every two hours.

“If you look at your route, there may be some places you’ve always wanted to visit along the way so why not stop and let the kids stretch their legs,” Ms Cockfield said.

To find out more about Vanessa, visit the Vanessa Facebook page or www.vanessabus.com.au

For information on driver reviver sites visit www.tollgroup.com/driverreviver