58 Young Drivers In Essex Crashes

6 October 2011, 08:18 | Updated: 6 October 2011, 08:24

Since the start of this year, 58 young drivers have been killed or seriously hurt on roads across the county.

However, the number of casualties has been falling over the past decade since a programme was introduced teaching teenagers about the risks involved when getting behind the wheel.

Roadster events take part throughout the year giving 17 year olds the chance to get some hands-on experience.

This week, students in south Essex are taking part in activities at the Ford Technical Centre in Dunton.

It's run by the County Council and includes a hard-hitting film made by the friends of a teenager who died in a crash in Thorpe Bay in 2009.

Young drivers made up 20% of all those killed or seriously injured in Essex.