By Lynne Stewart

THE PARENTS of a Fife boy who was run over and killed by a young driver under the influence of drink and drugs will today launch a campaign to cut the number of under-25s killed or seriously injured in accidents on Scotland’s roads.

The campaign is also being backed by Dundee politicians Shona Robison MSP and Councillor John Corrigan.

Michelle and Andrew Sneddon, whose five-year-old son Ross was killed by a driver high on both alcohol and ecstasy in February 2004, will make a plea to young motorists to drive safely.

Ross died along with Anne Martin (39) and her granddaughter Ashley (8) just yards from their home on Minto Crescent, Glenrothes, after 23-year-old Dean Martin ploughed into them at around 70mph as they walked along the pavement.

Ross’s mother Michelle and younger sister Lyta, who was two at the time, were seriously injured in the crash which happened as they made their way home from a Sunday morning disco-dancing class.

Martin was later jailed for 11 years after admitting culpable homicide and fleeing the scene of the accident, but judge Lord Brodie told him he would have gone to prison for 13 years had he been found guilty following a trial.

A survey of more than 300 15-25 year-olds conducted by road safety charity Brake found that three out of 10 young people in Scotland have driven or been a passenger in a road race.

Road accidents are the biggest killer of 15 to 24-year-olds in Scotland. Statistics show that 12 young people are killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads every week.

In 2005, 75 drivers, passengers and motorcyclists aged between 15 and 25 were killed and 556 were seriously injured.

Michelle and Andrew Sneddon said, “In February 2004 a young drunk and drugged driver changed our family’s lives for ever. Our five year-old son Ross was killed, along with our friend and her eight year-old daughter.

“Many young drivers see driving as thrilling and exciting, an expression of their freedom.

“Some come under intense peer pressure to take risks behind the wheel. But as we know all too well, the combination of inexperience and risk-taking can be devastating. We’re helping to launch Road Safety Week to urge every driver—young and old—to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel and make a pledge to drive safely.”

Also helping to launch the campaign is Donald Geddes, from Ullapool, who crashed and was seriously injured months after passing his test, while speeding home from work.

Donald said, “At 17, I was young and cocky and thought it was never going to happen to me. My message to other young drivers is this: please learn from my mistakes—don’t think you can get away with speeding and being an idiot behind the wheel without suffering the consequences.”

Rachel Burr, campaigns officer at Brake, said, “Every week in Scotland, more families and communities suffer tragic deaths and injuries caused by risk-taking young drivers.

“We’re calling on all young people in the region to commit to staying within speed limits, never driving on drink or drugs and always belting up.

“Even if you feel confident behind the wheel, you’re never immune to the potentially life-shattering consequences of taking risks on our roads.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said, “I am happy to give my support to Road Safety Week and hope that young drivers take heed of all the warnings and safety advice available to them. Young male drivers aged 17-20 are seven times more at risk than all male drivers. We need to make everyone become safer and more aware about the pitfalls of reckless driving.”

Mr Corrigan said, “Road Safety Week is about more than safe driving; it’s about highlighting road safety issues that are pertinent to your local area.

“That is why I am reiterating my calls for road safety measures, such as reducing the speed limit on the Arbroath road to 30mph as a first step, to be implemented at Craigie primary school.

“We cannot afford to let an accident happen before action is taken. I support Road Safety Week and hope that drivers and pedestrians in Dundee are a bit more safety-conscious and maintain that concentration all year round.”

Brake wants to see a system of graduated driver licensing (GDL) with restrictions on newly-qualified drives such as night-time driving curfews.

GDL radically reduced car crash injuries to 15-19 year-olds (by 23%) when introduced in New Zealand.

Brake has also called for compulsory road safety education in schools for all ages.

The charity also wants year-round prime-time TV advertising and more investment in dedicated traffic police and enforcement technology.