THE Advertiser's Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign will be debated at the Scottish Parliament in two weeks' time, following cross-party support from MSPs.
On the evening of March 1, members from across the political spectrum will show their support for the Central Safe Drive group which is struggling to maintain the crucial road safety awareness show.
Tightening of budgets has meant the programme would be unlikely to go ahead in 2018, despite its success in reaching 40,000 young people in Forth Valley over the last ten years.
After the campaign was launched last month, Mark Ruskell, Alex Rowley and Alexander Stewart – all MSPs for the Mid Scotland and Fife region – voiced their support at parliament.
Each filed a motion, with Mr Stewart's securing a debate in the chamber on March 1.
The Conservative representative told the Advertiser: "I'm delighted to say we will have the opportunity to debate Safe Drive Stay Alive at the Scottish Parliament, which will highlight it to others in the chamber and give it a platform to push on."
Mr Russell, the Green MSP, had earlier filed his motion which asked for his fellow MSPs to note the initiative "faces an uncertain future due to a lack of funding commitments" and "supports the #KeepSafeDrive campaign that was recently launched by the Alloa Advertiser".
In his motion, Mr Rowley, the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, asked parliament to note its support for Safe Drive volunteers, and further recognise the contributions of Jennifer Howie and David Galloway who "suffered life changing injuries as young people in car accidents".
He added: "I have to say, I was overcome with the very powerful and moving show and can see why it has been so successful with 5th and 6th year pupils across the central region which has seen a significant fall in young people being involved in car accidents.
"I think it is important that the continuation of this annual show, that thousands of young people from the Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling council areas have seen, continues into the future."
Meanwhile, Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, says he has contacted all three councils to find out more about the budget situation and to underline his support for the project.
He said: "I have previously attended the Safe Drive Stay Alive Roadshow and personally found it a hard-hitting experience – a feeling that was clearly shared amongst the rest of the audience.
"Statistics show that road deaths and injuries have fallen over the years the show has been running so it is clear that this initiative really has influenced the behaviour and attitudes of young people on the roads and proves that early intervention and education can produce positive results.
"It would be disappointing if any council was to withdraw funding for what is clearly such a successful initiative and I have written to all three local authorities to clarify their position and to express my ongoing support for Safe Drive, Stay Alive."
The Safe Drive Stay Alive message took to the airwaves this week, with organiser Alan Fauls a featured guest on Stirling City Radio on Monday.
To show your support for the #KeepSafeDrive campaign, sign the online petition.
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