Most young drivers fail to take regular breaks during long road trips but the curators of a new set of playlists are hoping to change that.

Insurer AAMI has teamed up with Spotify to develop a Rest Town Playlist for seven of the country’s most popular driving routes, including Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane to Airlie Beach.

Drivers can choose their trip and playlist and as they approach designated rest towns, they will hear an audio message prompting them to pull over for a break.

“With border restrictions eased many young drivers may be embarking on their first road trip,” AAMI executive manager Kahl Dwight said.

“We want it to be fun while also encouraging younger drivers to adopt safer behaviours of stopping regularly.”

Research from AAMI shows one in four drivers aged 18 to 24 take breaks every two hours on a long trip.

One in 10 have had a microsleep while behind the wheel or have driven into another lane or oncoming traffic.

Australian Road Safety Foundation chief executive Russell White said with 25 people killed on Australian roads in the 2021 Easter holiday period, any initiative to encourage road safety was welcome.

“Our message to young drivers this Easter is simple – don’t push the limits, stop and take a break,” Mr White said.

“Pressing on to get somewhere or overdoing things just isn’t worth the risk. It’s much better to arrive at your destination a little later than expected than not at all.”

The AAMI Rest Towns playlist is available on Spotify until April 30.

 

Tara Cosoleto
(Australian Associated Press)