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Swans stars help launch Road Safety Wales

Swansea City footballers have joined the drive to reduce death on Welsh roads, as new figures reveal how much more likely young men are to die at the wheel than older drivers.

The figures - based on a survey of 200,000 Welsh drivers by insurance company Admiral - were released to coincide with the launch of Road Safety Wales, a new organisation set up to improve safety on Welsh roads.

The Admiral survey reveals that men under the age of 25 are 34% more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers and 20% more likely to die on the road.

Vice chair of Road Safety Wales, Joy Smith, said: "Young men tend to drive at higher speeds, adopt shorter following distances and overtake dangerously. If we are to reduce the needless waste of young lives on our roads we have to educate teenagers that showing off can - and does - kill."

Swansea striker and assistant manager Kevin Nugent said: "We have many thousands of young fans and we are happy to do anything we can to raise awareness of road safety. It's important for teenagers to realise that the coolest way to drive is skilfully."

Road Safety Wales is a partnership of road safety experts and professionals from every local authority and police force in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and RoSPA.

It will launch a programme of advanced driver training for under-25s in 2006 and is encouraging young motorists to take part in the Pass Plus training scheme to gain valuable experience and skills.

For further information contact Dafydd Edwards on 01492 575425, or dafydd.edwards@conwy.gov.uk