Fatigue is a killer on the road and so is the impatience that comes with being stuck in lines of traffic after a weekend holiday.
Motorists heading south yesterday had a chance to rest up, wake up and cool down at a Driver Reviver spot on State Highway 1 near Ruakaka.
The
roadside drinks and snacks centre was one of eight around New Zealand set up by State Insurance to help drivers refresh themselves before the next leg of their journey.
By 1pm more than 600 people had pulled over to the Driver Reviver area for free refreshments and food. All day a steady stream of vehicles lined up at the lay-by near the Uretiti beach entrance. Stewards helped direct drivers into the parking area and to re-enter the flow of traffic.
Among travellers who took advantage of the chance to rest and refresh was Kurt Sauerbier and 10 friends, who had spent Easter camping and fishing at Spirits Bay. Mr Sauerbier had high praise for the scheme which was likely to take some of the heat out of a long, slow drive back south.
State executive general manager Mary Jane Daly had first-hand experience of the heavy traffic heading home. She had driven from Auckland to help other staff and volunteers from community groups and emergency services who had given up holiday time to help out.
"It's a way the company can give something back and get across an important safety message at the same time," Ms Daly said.
Traffic flows were heavy on Northland roads last evening. Whangarei police acting Sergeant Dean Wakelin said SH1 patrol units had recorded about 900 cars an hour, mostly southbound.
