Pac Highway rest stops for schoolies

Australia’s most dangerous road will again get two special rest stops for young drivers heading north for schoolies celebrations this weekend.

For the third year in a row, NRMA’s Free2go team will set up revive sites along the Pacific Highway for young drivers to take a break. This year two sites will be located at Twelve Mile Creek (north of Newcastle) and Yelgun, near Brunswick Heads.

NRMA’s Free2go service provides roadside assistance to almost 100,000 young drivers in NSW and the ACT. The service, which was previously available to 16 and 17 year olds, has now been extended to all young drivers aged 20 and younger with the first year’s membership free.

The sites are open to all motorists but are designed to encourage young people to make regular stops on their journey and will include:

• Free food and drinks
• Vehicle health checks by NRMA patrols
• Road safety material
• Games zones with Nintendo Wii, air hockey, pool tables and table tennis

The NRMA recently released a report, which showed that that only half the Pacific Highway has been upgraded to a safe standard 20 years after two bus crashes claimed 56 lives.

“For many of these young drivers this is their first road trip without their parents,” Ms Machin said.

“These Year 12 students have worked hard throughout the year and Schoolies Week is a great way to celebrate the end of school.

“We do not want what should be a fun holiday ruined by tragedy on the road – that’s why we’re encouraging all young drivers, indeed all drivers, to stop at the Free2go revive sites and have a break.”

The NRMA Free2go Revive Sites will be open from Thursday 26 November to Saturday 28 November from 9am to 7pm.