Number of underage drivers involved in crashes increases

The number of under-age drivers involved in crashes on Britain's roads has reached its highest level in four years.

Government data has revealed 91 under 17s were behind the wheel during accidents in 2015.

That's up 30 per cent on the year before.

It was found that underage drivers also caused the death or injury of at least 48 other motorists in the last year.

AA president Edmund King warned that those involved should only be driving in computer games or at specialist off-road centres.

However, Mansfield 103.2’s motoring correspondent Matt Edwards, who presents the Chequered Flag show on Mondays says gaming could be responsible for the rise.

He said: “From younger ages, they’re playing Xbox and playstation. My lad is 12 years old, and he thinks he’s the fastest thing since Michael Shumacher on his Xbox.”

“I think that’s just what happens with the gaming scene as big as what it is now.”

Separate analysis by  the RAC Foundation found that over half  of the underage drivers involved in crashes last year were injured, including one who was killed.

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