THE Safe Drive Stay Alive road show will return to the Macrobert Arts Centre this month - warning of the "horrific consequences of careless and irresponsible driving".

Around 4000 school pupils are set to benefit from a production which aims to reduce the number of casualties amongst young people.

There will also be an evening performance for those who have young and emerging drivers in the family, to give people a chance to see the show and help promote the safe drive message.

According to watch manager Alan Faulds, the annual event has made great in-roads since it began in 2007.

He said statistics show that road deaths and injuries have fallen in the years it has been running, proving "that early intervention and education can produce positive results".

Mr Faulds commented: "The show is delivered to 4th year and above pupils from all the high schools within the Forth Valley area. It comprises of a film depicting a typical road collision where young people are involved, including driver distraction, bad driving practices and peer pressure.

"Interspersed within the film, real emergency service workers go on stage to explain their role in the aftermath of the accident.

"Post-accident footage is then followed up 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 sharing their very serious and long lasting experiences of irresponsible driving.

"Central Safe Drive is a collaborative work that is attended and driven by all the emergency services as well as inputs from Central FM, the Red Cross who all volunteer their services."

In 2007, in a bid to cut the number of incidents, injuries and deaths on the area's roads, the fire and rescue and police services teamed-up as the Central Scotland Road Safety Partnership to launch the Safe Drive Stay Alive initiative.

It delivers thought-provoking messages to young drivers by demonstrating in realistic terms the potentially lethal consequences should they fail to understand and accept their responsibilities when getting behind the wheel of a car.

It gives first-hand accounts - from victims of accidents and surviving family members - of the devastation a road crash can bring.

With some of the country's most scenic rural routes, the fire and rescue service said emergency services operating in the Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire know as well as any, the horrific consequences of careless and irresponsible driving.

The roadshow is a multi-agency initiative with representatives from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS, local authorities and their relevant Community Safety Partnerships assisting with organisation and delivery of the event.

This year the Safe Drive Stay Alive roadshow runs from Monday, January 25 to Friday, January 29, at the Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.

The special evening performance for the public will take place on Thursday, January 28, at 7pm.

All 5th and 6th year pupils will attend a daytime performance throughout the week.

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

Advice on how to stay safe on the roads is available at http://www.road-safety.org.uk/

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