Coffee Stop
Coffee Stop is a Western Australia program which has been operating since 1993. The Program involves roadhouses and service stations providing free coffee/tea to drivers across Western Australia and encouraging drivers to take a break from driving.
Coffee Stop is a free service which enables local businesses to contribute to WA Government's Driving Change, Road Safety Strategy for Western Australia 2020-2030 by addressing driver fatigue amongst motorists travelling in Western Australia. Driver fatigue has been recognised as a major contributing factor to road trauma in Western Australia. Coffee Stop provides an incentive for motorists to take a break from driving and therefore reduce the likelihood of fatigue-related road trauma.
The Coffee Stop Program is coordinated through WALGA’s RoadWise with the cost of providing tea, instant coffee, sugar, milk and other materials met by the roadhouse/service station. Free coffee/tea is provided for the driver only, not for all passengers in the vehicle.
The Program is also overseen by a Reference Group comprising of representatives from Main Roads WA, the WA Police Force and the Road Safety Commission.
See Coffee Stop locations below for a complete list of providers around the state.
WALGA's RoadWise would like to thank all the WA Coffee Stop providers for their dedication and commitment to road safety and addressing driver fatigue by providing travellers with a great place to stop, take a break, and enjoy a free cup of coffee.
Getting Involved
If your service station or roadhouse is interested in participating in the Coffee Stop Program, download a copy of the Coffee Stop Program Kit from the Resources section of this website and contact your Regional Road Safety Advisor for further information.
Coffee Stop Providers
Coffee Stop providers can order resources including posters and window stickers to help promote the fatigue message and their participation in the Program. To order the Coffee Stop Poster and Sticker, please email roadwise@walga.asn.au or contact your Regional Road Safety Advisor. Other fatigue and road safety promotional materials may also be available through your Advisor.
Pictured: Murchison Oasis Roadhouse owner, Peter Mahony
Facts About Fatigue
- A 20 minute power nap can refresh a driver and prevent fatigue related crashes.
- To avoid fatigue, it is recommended that drivers aim for 7.5 hours sleep every night.
- The reaction time of a driver who has been awake for 17 – 19 hours is similar to the reaction time of a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05.
- Not sleeping for 24 hours will reduce a driver’s reaction time to the equivalent reaction time of someone with a BAC of 0.10.
Road Safety Commission, Fatigue - Facts at a Glance, July 2022.
Signs of Fatigue
- you begin to blink,
- you start squinting,
- you can’t stop yawning,
- you have trouble keeping your head up,
- your eyes close for a moment or go out of focus,
- you have wandering, disconnected thoughts,
- you find that you can’t remember driving the last few kilometres,
- you miss a gear,
- you miss a road sign or your exit,
- you find you have slowed unintentionally,
- you brake too late,
- you drift over the centre line or on to the side of the road, or
- you see ‘mirages’ ahead.
Tips for Avoiding Fatigue
- Try to get an average of seven to eight hours continuous sleep.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before going to sleep.
- Plan your trip to ensure maximum attention to your driving. Try to schedule your trip so driving takes place during daylight.
- It is best to start your journey early and not drive late into the night.
- Avoid long hours of driving, particularly at night and after working all day.
- If possible share the driving; swap drivers every two hours, every 200km or if you feel tired.
- If you are making a long journey, plan to stop overnight and get a full night’s rest.
- When travelling a long distance, take regular breaks - get out of the car, walk around to stimulate blood circulation, have a cup of coffee or tea, drink plenty of fresh water and have something to eat. This is where the Coffee Stop Program can assist.
- If you feel tired, take a ‘power nap’. You will feel the maximum benefit from 15-20 minutes of sleep.
- Make sure the interior of your vehicle is well ventilated and not too warm. A warm vehicle can make you drowsy.
- Listen to music, talkback radio or talking books - anything to stimulate your mind.
- Stop and eat at regular meal times to ensure you maintain your energy levels.