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Schoolies: Stay Safe On Pacific Highway


Schoolies: Stay Safe On Pacific Highway

Author: NRMA Media Date: 27 November 2008

NRMA Motoring & Services and MTV Presenter Ruby Rose are joining forces today to help keep Schoolies revelers safe as they drive along the Pacific Highway

For a second year, NRMA's Free2go team has set up five Free2go Revive Stops along the Pacific Highway to encourage thousands of Year 12 students driving to the North Coast and Queensland to pull over for a break.

Free2go is NRMA's free roadside assistance, driver support and advocacy program for more than 75,000 young drivers in NSW and the ACT.

The Free2go Revive Stops have been established with young drivers in mind. There will be free barbecues and drinks, giveaways, music, activities and NRMA Patrolmen on hand to conduct free health checks on cars.

Ruby Rose will be on hand to help the NRMA Free2go team today from 10:00am to 12.00pm at the first Free2go Revive Stop at Twelve Mile Creek, north of Newcastle.

NRMA Director, Kyle Loades, said the importance of keeping young drivers safe this Schoolies was not lost on NRMA's Free2go organisers, particularly since the students would be driving along the Pacific Highway - NSW most dangerous road.

"For most of the Schoolies revelers, this week's drive will be their first long road trip without their parents," Mr Loades said.

"NRMA research shows that parents are more concerned about their children getting to Schoolies and home safely than they are about them getting into trouble once they get there.

"And who could blame them? Their first long road trip without their parents will be along the Pacific Highway - a road that requires significant upgrading in many sections.

"The announcement by the NSW Government that they would be cutting $300 million from the highway upgrade means the road won't be getting safer any time soon, making it all the more important that NRMA's Free2go team helps keep these Schoolies safe."

NRMA Free2go ambassador and MTV VJ Ruby Rose urged all Schoolies revelers to make the most of this year's party, but to remember to pull over every two hours for the drive up and back.

"I have moved from Melbourne to Sydney and have done the notoriously long drive three times already this year so I know how important it is to drive carefully and stop regularly," Ruby said.

"I always stop at Albury and stay overnight to avoid fatigue and to keep everyone energised and fresh.

"It's impossible to do a long distance drive without taking care. I'm never in a hurry when it comes to long trips; my safety and the safety of my friends are the priority.

"I urge everyone driving to Schoolies to take the trip seriously, consider the very real danger of fatigue and take advantage of the Free2go Revive Stops."

The NRMA Free2go Revive Stops are located at:

Heading north: 
THURS 27 - SAT 29 NOV
Twelve Mile Creek (30 minutes north of Newcastle)
Burrawan (south of Port Macquarie)
New Italy (south of Woodburn)

Heading south: 
SAT 6 - SUN 7 DEC
Halfway Creek (south of Grafton)
Kundabung (south of Kempsey)

For more information about NRMA's extensive Schoolies program and Byron Bay events visit Free2Go.

* Ruby Rose will be assisting NRMA patrols today from 10.30am at the NRMA Free2go

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