New research shows that a worrying number of young drivers are speeding on public roads. The research carried out by charity Brake and FedEx Express, which involved 2,800 youngsters from the UK, found that 56% have been a passenger in a car driven by a young driver at more than 40mph in a 30mph limit, or at more than 70mph on a rural road.

More than one in five have raced on a public road as a driver or passenger and one in ten have overtaken another vehicle, at speed, without being able to see what is coming. Worryingly, 58% of young passengers who had been in a car driven by a speeding young driver said they didn’t ask the driver to slow down.

Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people aged 15 to 24 and young drivers are involved in more fatal crashes and more are killed than any other age group of drivers.

Ellen Booth, Brake campaigns officer, said: “Many young people get a thrill from driving fast with their friends in the car, but because of the way young people’s brains develop, they often don’t yet have the ability to control their thrill-seeking tendencies. They often feel invincible and overestimate their power to get out of trouble. Brake is urging the government to take steps now to stop more families suffering the devastation of the death of a teenager.”