Game plan for Gather Round

With thousands expected to travel along key regional routes including the Dukes Highway and Riddoch Highway, SAPOL and Victoria Police will undertake a coordinated road safety operation across the Gather Round period.

The declared major event will have a coordinated traffic operation in place across metropolitan and regional routes.

Police say the message is simple – arrive safely, not just quickly.

“Gather Round is a fantastic event that brings people together from across the country,” Assistant Commissioner De Candia said.

“But regional roads have carried some of our state’s deepest heartbreaks.

“Road trauma linked to fatigue and distraction has touched communities across both states. No game is worth that risk.”

The direct route between Melbourne and Adelaide via the Western Highway (VIC) and Dukes Highway (SA) takes around 7.5 to 8.5 hours without stops.

Police and road safety experts urge travellers to take a break at least every two hours, sharing the driving where possible, with fatigue remaining one of the most silent and deadly risks.

The NRMA’s 2025 Quarterly Index Report revealed 23% of drivers have experienced a micro‑sleep behind the wheel and found that almost 40 per cent of drivers are not taking a break at least every two hours.

Key stop locations along the route include Ballarat, Horsham, Bordertown, Keith, and Tailem Bend, all offering opportunities to refuel, switch drivers and take a proper break.

Police will increase their presence across regional and cross-border routes, with a focus on:

• Speed detection
• Drink and drug driving enforcement
• Driver distraction, including mobile phone use
• Fatigue-related driving

“These are not new risks, but they remain the leading contributors to serious and fatal crashes,” Assistant Commissioner De Candia said.

“Small decisions behind the wheel can have lifelong consequences.”

Gather Round is about community, connection and enjoying the game, and police say road safety plays a critical role in that experience.

“This is a great opportunity for our state to support everyone travelling to enjoy the footy,” Assistant Commissioner De Candia said.

“We want fans focused on the game, not on avoidable incidents on the road.”

Police say planning rest stops should be part of every long‑distance trip, not an afterthought. More route highlights can be found on the South Australia Tourism website.

SAPOL and VicPol joint social media campaign: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17N6AtBeNT/?mibextid=wwXIfr