Steve Parr, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue, told the group that every day, eight or nine people die on the country's roads and around 3,000 are injured.

He played a hard-hitting video of the consequences of a fatal road accident and asked them to question why young people - particularly boys - act in certain ways when they get behind the wheel.

Mr Parr also warned of the very real dangers of the Fatal Four - speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, drug/drink driving and not wearing a seatbelt. He also stressed the importance of vehicle maintenance and checking things like tyre treads.

He said: "The video contains some very graphic images but the message is powerful. Young people always think that this is something that happens to others - by the end of the video they know exactly what could happen to them.

"We want them to be aware that the choices they make inside a car can affect their lives. We ask them why they would get in a car with someone who's had a couple of drinks.

"We also talk about life changing injuries and how they might not be able to pursue the career of their choice if they've been badly injured."