I know I tend to bang on a bit about young drivers, and it is all too easy to forget how irresponsible I was myself when in their position. However, some of the recent accident statistics have set me off again. In Cambridgeshire, 74 per cent of those kill

I know I tend to bang on a bit about young drivers, and it is all too easy to forget how irresponsible I was myself when in their position. However, some of the recent accident statistics have set me off again.

In Cambridgeshire, 74 per cent of those killed or seriously injured in road collisions are males, and the peak age is 18. During 2004, a total of 82 17-to- 25-year-olds were killed or seriously injured. That is an average of nearly seven per month.

Research in America has shown that greater parental supervision, and restricted access to the family car for teenagers, reduced the likelihood of speeding and increased the use of seat belts.

We are in the process of running a series of road shows called the Big Deal. It involves young drivers and their parents signing an agreement that both parties will attempt to drive more responsibly.

I don't expect many young people to volunteer for the Big Deal road show. Few of us (of any age) can accept that our driving is anything less than brilliant. However, concerned parents who make signing the agreement a prerequisite for borrowing the family car might be doing both parties a favour.