29 September 2011

Highlands & Islands Labour MSP David Stewart who set up and leads the road safety charity group, the North Of Scotland Driver Awareness Team – NOSDAT has appealed for supporters of the campaign ‘Sensible Driving – Always Arriving’ to consider sponsoring some of the group’s projects.

Speaking earlier today Mr Stewart said,

" We have come such a long way as a team, much we could not have even started without the support of some local businesses and local people.

"Just last month the group received a cheque for £500 from a family in Wick who raised the money at a local event in Wick.

"This family lost their son and brother in a fatal road collision involving a car in which he was a passenger during 2008.

"Stagecoach Bus have been a great partner and have made so much possible, that is without mentioning all the other organisations who have helped".

He continued,

" Our campaign was set up after the deaths of two 17 years olds in Inverness in March 2010.

"I and the NOSDAT team are determined to make our roads safer and we will keep pushing to achieve this aim.

"So far we have lobbied the Scottish and UK Parliaments seeking the introduction of a graduated licence scheme.

"We secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament on this issue.

"We have gone a fair way down the road to raising awareness of the issues in particular trying to emphasise that ‘Your passengers are your responsibility’.

"Education is key, but there are other areas where we want to develop our initiative.

Currently the team are nearing the end of producing a short film highlighting the devastation that fatal road collisions cause to families.

Once complete they hope to gift this film to all secondary schools in Highland & Islands and Moray.

Mr. Stewart further stated,

"In November I would like to hold a seminar in Inverness with key people involved in road safety, from our local Police Forces to Transport Scotland, hopefully even a Government representative in attendance, right down to local individuals.

"Of course funding such events needs hard cash and I take this opportunity of asking anyone out there who wishes to support us, to please consider donating or sponsoring some of our up and coming events".

Anyone wishing to assist the group, donate towards the groups aims or even sponsor the groups activities, are asked to contact the campaign co-ordinator Doug Mackenzie on douglas.mackenzie@scottish.parliament.uk or by telephone on 01463 716299.