Somerset County Council is urging young drivers to consider the risks when driving on country roads.

The warning comes as the local authority joins the Department for Transport in a major road safety campaign launched earlier this month.

Somerset County Council will be supporting the 'THINK!' campaign across their social media channels and on local radio broadcasts.

Cllr Mike Rigby, the council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital said: “We have a large number of rural roads across the county and we know that younger drivers in particular are more likely to take risks. 

“This is about getting drivers to think about the potential for a serious collision if they don’t take care. We all know what it’s like to be young and suffering from fear of missing out, if our friends are waiting for us, but the message is clear, it’s just not worth taking risks with speed.” 

The Department for Transport said: "The new THINK! campaign aims to raise awareness of the impact that even slight speeding on rural roads can have. The campaign speaks to male drivers aged 17-24, as they are overrepresented in speed-related deaths and injuries.

The campaign asks young drivers ‘is pushing it worth it?’, encouraging them to reflect on their own driving and to reappraise the consequences of what they currently perceive to be safe speeds. It will run across video on demand, digital audio, online video and social media for 4 weeks in March 2023."