A HANDFUL of MSPs have given their backing to the campaign to retain the Safe Drive, Stay Alive programme in central Scotland.

Last month, the Advertiser launched the #KeepSafeDrive effort to ensure the vital road safety programme is not swallowed up by budget cuts.

Despite the uncertainty over the future, the Central Safe Drive team marked its 10th year and its 100th show at the Macrobert Arts Centre last week.

Every high school in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk sent hundreds of their pupils, with a total of 40,000 youngsters now having seen the show.

Each year, the group also hold a evening show for the public with a bumper turnout this year.

Dozens signed the Advertiser's petition on the night, with an online version now available.

Among them were Alex Rowley, Labour's deputy leader, and Alexander Stewart, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

Both later expressed their appreciation to the team's volunteers and pledged to support the Advertiser's campaign maintain its funding for years to come.

Mr Rowley, also an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "I found the performance incredibly powerful and moving and can see why this approach has been so successful with young people.

"It is to the credit of all the volunteers, agencies and those who have been directly involved with road accidents that such a powerful message can make such an impact on young people and save lives and is why I will be supporting the campaign to ensure this great work continues."

Mr Stewart added: "The Safe Drive, Stay Alive roadshows present to their – mainly young – audiences the harrowing reality of dangerous driving and the lasting impact it can have on the people, their families and communities.

"And by having the privilege of meeting the young people on Thursday evening, who have sadly had their lives turned around, and to hear of the admirable way in which they and their families are dealing with their injuries, I wholeheartedly support everyone's endeavours and will be actively assisting them all in any way I can to help sustain the survival of the excellent Safe Drive, Stay Alive project into the future."

Green MSP Mark Ruskell has also sounded his support for the campaign and urged the three councils to earmark the money needed to keep the programme.

Though he did not attend last Thursday's himself, he was out in Alloa last Friday asking members of the public to sign a paper petition created by the Advertiser.

He said: “The Safe Drive, Stay Alive roadshow provides an invaluable educational experience for young drivers which undoubtedly saves lives, and at a tiny cost to local authorities.

"Our local councils would only need to use a tiny fraction of the extra funds Green MSPs secured for them during budget negotiations to invest in this life saving programme.”

Bryan Quinn, green candidate for Clackmannanshire South, did attend the roadshow on Thursday and was also out helping to gather signatures the very next day.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: