Kill your speed, not a Valentine - LARSOA

LARSOA is urging young men to think about the safety of their female passengers in the run up to Valentine's Day - and to kill their speed, not their girlfriend.

Government statistics show that more young women are killed as passengers than as drivers. In 2005, 276 young women aged between 17 and 19 were killed or seriously injured while driving - while 373 suffered the same fate as passengers. This compares to a total of 869 male driver KSIs, and 602 passengers.

Young male drivers are the most likely to have accidents as a result of inexperience and attitude. Studies show they find it almost impossible to imagine their own death and have a, 'It'll never happen to me' attitude towards road accidents.

David Frost, (left) LARSOA spokesman, said: "We are constantly appealing to young male drivers to slow down. They may find it difficult to imagine their own death but they do understand the horror and guilt they would suffer if they killed or seriously injured a loved one through their own irresponsible and dangerous driving.

"We want people to make arrangements to celebrate on Valentine's Day, not to be making funeral arrangements."

As part of the For My Girlfriend campaign (which peaks in the run up to Valentines Day each year) 26 road safety teams and safety camera partnerships across the UK - and one in Ireland - are running awareness campaigns and events.

Click here to read the full LARSOA press release.

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