Dougie Hall

The initiative comes on the back of statistics showing that in the first half of 2007 alone, 45 young lives were lost in accidents on Scotland’s roads, a 28% rise on the same period last year.

As part of Scotland’s first Alcohol Awareness Week, the Safe Drive Stay Alive 2007 campaign was launched by Stewart Stevenson MSP the Scottish Government Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change.

The event saw the launch of the first national website aimed at raising awareness and educating young drivers on responsible driving, as well as a series of hard-hitting awareness-raising roadshows, aimed at reducing the loss of young lives and injuries on Scotland’s roads.

Dougie was at the launch of the initiative at Murrayfield

Featuring the latest national and regional road accident statistics, the website includes news, forums and picture galleries. In addition a soundtrack has been recorded by up and coming songwriter 16-year-old Amy Reiner, a student at Madras College in St Andrews. The website will be supported by a series of roadshows, educating young people and their parents on responsible driving techniques.

Visitors to the website will also be able to take advantage of the Safe Drive Stay Alive discount voucher, providing opportunities to save money at a variety of outlets, including free winter and tyre checks.
Alcohol Awareness Week (www.alcoholawarenessweek.com) is an initiative by the Scottish Government, alcohol industry, health services, and the voluntary sector. Its aim is to get members of the public to think and talk about what a unit of alcohol is, and underpin the message that moderate consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Speaking at the launch of Safe Drive Stay Alive, Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair said: “Initiatives such as this to reduce the number of accidents on Scotland’s roads are to be applauded. It’s frightening to think of the number of young people needlessly dying on our roads and, along with Scottish Rugby, I am pleased to be able to add my support to this, as well as the other elements, which form part of Scotland’s first Alcohol Awareness Week.”

Minister Stewart Stevenson said: “One in three drivers in fatal accidents is now under 25. This is a truly appalling statistic and campaigns like this are vital to reduce the number of deaths amongst young drivers and their passengers. I commend the commitment of the fire and police services and wish them well with their campaign.”

Bob Rearie of Fife Fire and Rescue said: “In the first half of 2007, there were 129 lives were lost on Scotland’s roads of which 45 of the victims were young people, a 28% rise on the same period last year. This is a shocking statistic and one that we as a nation cannot ignore.

“With the assistance of my colleagues in the Fife, Tayside, Grampian and Central Scotland Fire and Police authorities and the financial backing of Diageo, we have created the Safe Drive Stay Alive website and roadshows in a bid to educate young drivers and their passengers on the serious consequences of acting irresponsibly in a car.

“By using both the website and hard-hitting roadshows we can act together in cutting Scotland’s appalling record of deaths and injuries among young drivers.”

Note to editors: In the first half of 2007, 129 lives were lost on Scotland’s roads of which 45 of the victims were young people, a 28% rise on the same period last year.

In an attempt to combat such shocking statistics, Safe Drive Stay Alive, a campaign supported by the Fife, Tayside, Grampian and Central Scotland Fire and Police authorities was launched today to raise awareness and educate young drivers on responsible driving.

Through a range of activity including an interactive website and regular community roadshows, the rescue services will reinforce the dangers of drink driving, speeding, use of mobile phones and failure to wear seatbelts to young drivers.

This initiative is being supported by Diageo as it reinforces its established commitment to responsible drinking.

For more details check out the website www.safedrivestayalive.org