By Charlene Kelly

A family facing their third Christmas without their son after he was killed by a driver high on drink and drugs have given their unwavering support to Fife Constabulary’s Time2Act campaign, which aims to clamp down on substance-fuelled driving over the festive period.

Andrew and Michelle Sneddon from Glenrothes lost five-year-old Ross, along with neighbour Anne Martin (39) and her daughter Ashley (eight), just yards from their home in 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.

Since the accident, the Sneddons have channelled their grief into helping raise awareness of the importance of road safety and were actively involved in the highly acclaimed Safe Drive Stay Alive roadshow which highlighted the devastating consequences of dangerous driving.

Earlier this year, Andrew and Michelle also handed over a 6000- signature petition calling for tougher sentences on people driving under the influence of drink or drugs to Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson at Holyrood.

Mr Sneddon said, “It is grossly reckless to even consider getting into a car and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Those who say, ‘It’s Christmas so I’ll just have one for the road’ are gambling with people’s lives and playing Russian roulette.

“My family’s life has been changed beyond all comprehension after what happened and it hits us harder at Christmas than at any other time.

“I still break down at home and can’t deal with it at times, and my daughters still wake up in the middle of the night crying.

“I urge people out there not to drink and drive because it really does cost lives.”

Fife Police are using a new approach of detailed intelligent analysis to track down drivers impaired by drink or drugs, something which has helped arrest more than 600 drink- drivers this year.

Senior police figures hope to catch another 100 by the end of the year, through the Time2Act campaign.

Research has shown most of the perpetrators are men aged under 25, although the problem is widespread, and just over half of all drink-driving offences were committed at the weekend.

Road policing Chief Inspector Joe Swanston said, “Last year we had a record number of police and patrol cars on the look-out for these drivers.

“There were also officers stopping motorists on main roads to catch those still over the limit from the night before.

“For the first time in three years, there were no injury collisions related to drink-driving over the festive period.

“We hope to repeat that this year and will be doing so through even more intensive and focused operations using detailed analysis to track down and catch those foolish enough to risk drinking and driving.”

Chief inspector Swanston urged people to plan ahead for the party season by booking taxis or taking public transport and to report anyone drink-driving to the police.

“The Sneddon family are tragic proof that a minute’s misjudgment can cost lives,” he said.