Safety first hits home

Firefighters in Central Scotland are helping to make young people aware of the dangers found on the roads.

More than 4000 young adults from schools across the Forth Valley area will be given a clear insight into the potential consequences for drivers following serious a collision.

The multi-award winning Safe Drive Stay Alive event – celebrating its 100th show - returns to the MacRobert Art Centre from Monday, February 6.

Alan Faulds, Local Area Liaison Officer for The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said:“Too many young people are unaware how easily a driver can lose control and how terrible the consequences can be. The people who see the show are likely to be learning to drive, to have recently passed their test or to be in the car with a new driver.”

The hard-hitting event, now in its tenth year, aims to increase young drivers’and passengers awareness of safe driving practice.

Statistics show road deaths and injuries have fallen over the ten years the show has been running.

Firefighters, police officers and paramedics give first-hand accounts of the devastation a road crash can bring to victims of accidents and surviving family members.

A film illustrates a typical road collision where young people are involved, including driver distraction, bad driving practices and peer pressure. Emergency responders speak of the personal impact when they attend a crash and how they approach informing the next of kin, explaining to the youngsters how families react when told a loved one has been killed.

This is followed by real -life family members of people who have had their lives dramatically changed by a road traffic collision.

Their testimonies are hard -hitting and can be very emotive to the audience.

The roadshows run from February 6-10 with a special evening performance on Thursday, February 9, at 7pm which is open to members of the public who have young and emerging drivers in their family.

Tickets are free and can be reserved by calling the MacRobert Box office on 01786 466 666.

Advice is available at www.road-safety.org.uk/