A HARROWING video showing the devastation caused by road crashes was launched today.

The video, involving Huddersfield-based road safety charity Brake, features interviews with people whose lives have been torn apart by tragedy.

Its aim is to reduce the number of young people killed on Britain's roads.

Of the 3,431 people who died on the roads in 2002, 513 were aged 17 to 21.

The 15-minute video, Too Young To Die, was produced by Co-operative Insurance Society and Brake.

It includes an interview with a mother who lost her 12-year-old son, a young man who cradled his dying friend in his arms and a paramedic whose job often involves dealing with gruesome accidents.

Transport Minister David Jamieson said: "This video sends out a strong message. It is vital that the importance of road safety gets across to the younger audience.

"We have a good road safety record in the UK, but we all have a role to play in making the roads safer. It is vital that important road safety skills are learned from a young age."

Brake chief executive Mary Williams said: "The reasons for the higher risk of young drivers includes lower levels of driving skills and poor attitudes and behaviour, which lead to deliberate bad driving and unnecessary exposure to danger.

"Young people often think they are invincible.

"Sadly, this is not the case. As a result, more young drivers and passengers die on our roads than any other age range."

Finian O'Boyle, CIS's chief operating officer, said: "This initiative provides an ideal opportunity to target and educate a significant number of those most at risk - the young and inexperienced."

The video is being sent to more than 2,000 schools throughout the UK.

It will be seen by an estimated 600,000 young people over the next few months.