In conjunction with the road safety charity Brake, specially trained officers are giving presentations at schools to raise awareness of road safety among 15 and 16 year olds.

The presentation includes hard hitting videos which highlight the dangers teenagers face as pedestrians, drivers or passengers in a car driven by another young person.

The scenarios include a crash in which the rear seat passenger isn't wearing a seatbelt; a drink driver who kills a little boy; and a teenage boy who steps in front of a lorry and is killed because he is texting his mate on his mobile phone. One video also looks at the devastating impact a young person's death has on their family and friends.

PC Samm Emmett said: "The short films are hard hitting and very thought-provoking. They really bring home the stark reality of irresponsible driving but unfortunately we have to face this reality every day.

"We hope that by going into schools we can make teenagers aware of the dangers at a time when they are starting to ride mopeds or travel as passengers in cars driven by other young people."

In 2007 a total of 27 young people under the age of 25 were killed in road traffic collisions in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. In the same age group, a further 138 were seriously injured and 1,438 were slightly injured.

Any school that would like to receive a presentation can leave a message for PC 4150 Samm Emmett by calling Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222.