Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign set to continue

The future of a long-running road safety show which helps inform the next generation of drivers of the potential risks they face has been secured by generous sponsors.
Safe Drive Stay Alive secures funding from sponsors.Safe Drive Stay Alive secures funding from sponsors.
Safe Drive Stay Alive secures funding from sponsors.

Safe Drive Stay Alive has been attended by all senior school pupils in the north-east of Scotland for the last eleven years.

It had faced an uncertain future when the oil and gas downturn led to the withdrawal of its main sponsors, but a successful appeal was made in the local community.

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Those behind the show now have enough funding to not only put on this year’s show, but also to start developing and modernising future events.

Nexen Petroleum UK has come forward as the principle sponsor of this year’s event, alongside Suncor, an integrated energy company.

Digby Brown Solicitors continue as sponsors and two local firms have also come on board – hauliers ARR Craib Transport and metal recyclers John Lawrie Group.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership, Douglas Milne, welcomed the new sponsors on board and emphasised their importance.

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“We made an appeal for community-minded individuals and businesses to come forward and help us continue to run this important show, and we certainly got that,” he said.

“This sponsorship is so important, as if we even save one young life or prevent one young driver from suffering life-changing injuries, this initiative is well worth any amount of time or money.

“These donations will make a huge impact on the local community and we will be forever grateful for that.

“We want to continue to speak directly to young people and engage them in a way which makes them aware of the potential dangers and, given the numbers killed on our local roads, the local community knows the importance of this.”

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Nexen UK Managing Director and Senior Vice President, Ray Riddoch, said: “Safety first is one of Nexen’s cultural beliefs, not just in the workplace but in the communities where we live.  

“Safe Drive Stay Alive is both hard hitting and poignant and illustrates vividly the consequences of road collisions to thousands of young people on the cusp of obtaining their driving licences.

“The real life testimonies of those affected is a moving and powerful way to drive home the importance of safety first on our roads.

“We’re proud to be this year’s principal sponsor of Safe Drive Stay Alive and to support its mission to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roads.”

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Ron Davie, UK Country Manager for Suncor Energy, said: “The number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads is of concern to all of us. And a disproportionate number of the victims are young.

“Safe Drive Stay Alive can play a powerful role in helping to turn this situation around.

“The SDSA initiative shows young drivers in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray the potential consequences of taking undue risks or of being momentarily distracted.

“We are proud to support SDSA so it can continue its vital work to help reduce road accident rates in the North-East of Scotland.”

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The hard-hitting stage show features real life testimony from the emergency services who regularly deal with road collisions and from members of the public whose lives have been affected by road collisions in an extreme and profound way.

It leaves a lasting impression on all who see it, with the intention of cutting the level of death and injury which is seen on local roads.

Tens of thousands of young people about to learn to drive, or who have already passed their test, have benefitted from support by kind sponsors over the years.

This year’s show will see another 5,000 pupils from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray bussed to the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen to see the show in November.

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A free evening show for the general public is also held every year.

By combining real life experiences with an emotive film, the show leaves the audience in little doubt how a mistake or lapse in concentration can change lives forever.

Safe Drive Stay Alive Aberdeen is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

If you are interested in sponsoring Safe Drive Stay Alive in the future or want to have a conversation about how you could contribute, email: [email protected]

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