Police join influencer to highlight safety to young drivers

Sgt Owen Messenger and GCM want to reach male motorists under 25 who are most at risk of being convicted of dangerous or careless driving

Police have been working with a social media influencer to encourage young drivers to stay safe on the roads.

Devon and Cornwall have been working with the George's Car Media (GCM) social media channel.

BBC analysis found men under 25 would be "four times more likely than other drivers to be convicted of dangerous or careless driving".

It found more than 1,500 young drivers were killed or seriously injured on UK roads each year.

'Peer pressure'

Devon and Cornwall Police Sergeant Owen Messenger said it was "too easy" for people to think it would not happen to them.

He explained the rules were there for a reason and applied to everyone.

"We cannot have an exception for one person because they think they are that exception," he said.

"It is there to get everybody home safe because nobody leaves home thinking 'I'm not going to make it home tonight'."

'Safe and legal'

Sgt Messenger said there was peer pressure in the car, as well as on social media.

"Social media has a massive part to play in the way people act and the decisions that they make," he said.

Police said they had previously worked with GCM to help make vehicle modifications "safe and legal".

They said the objective was to educate and help cut the number of young drivers risking their lives on the roads in badly modified cars.