The campaign 2Fast 2Soon was launched today in a bid to cut the number of 17 to 24-year-olds killed or seriously injured on the roads.

The hard-hitting campaign features a DVD showing the impact of a car crash on a group of friends celebrating their A-level results.

More than 3,000 students are taking part in the campaign at countywide events with the aim to teach new drivers about different types of collisions and how to avoid them.

Steve Harris, from the Casualty Reduction Partnership, who produced the film on county roads, said: "We have given this film a trial and I was surprised at the reaction it got.

"It is a very emotional piece and we will be offering our services to anyone who needs to talk after the film.

"It is not a gore fest but it relies a lot on emotional reactions. It was important to make the film on local roads to bring home the closeness of the issue."

Last year 43 young drivers were killed or injured on county roads, representing 29 per cent of the total casualties but only 13 per cent of licence holders.

Cllr Liz Tavener, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for community safety, said: "Young drivers aged 17 to 24 are a notoriously difficult group to reach with road safety messages and information about driving safely.

"The film doesn't pull any punches; instead it shows young drivers exactly what could happen if they take unnecessary risks on the roads.

"We hope that by using this alongside a debrief from emergency services staff, we will be able to help young people become safer drivers and avoid collisions in the future."

For more details visit the website at www.2fast2soon.com.

The Evening Telegraph launched its Don't Be A Victim campaign at the start of the year in partnership with the police and the county council. It was in a bid to reduce the number of people killed on county roads and raise awareness of being safe behind the wheel.