Police are encouraging young motorists to drive safely amid figures that show a quarter of them will be involved in a collision within two years of passing their test.

The scheme comes amid figures which show that as many as a quarter of young drivers will have a collision within two years of passing their test.

Young people from the ages of 11 to 25 will be targeted in schools and colleges so the potentially life-saving toolkit teaches them safe driving skills.

Lisa Dorn, of Cranfield University, said: “There is little evidence that passing the driving test means novice drivers are safe.

“Indeed, they are more at risk of crash involvement post-test than at any other time in their driving careers.”

The tool kit encourages a focus on hazard awareness, improves the ability to judge traffic situations and considers the attitudes and behaviours associated with risk.

Cambs Drive iQ puts young road users through potentially hazardous road scenarios in a virtual environment, which improves the skills often neglected by young drivers, such as anticipating danger, risk management, considering emotional response and being a responsible passenger.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Councillor Jason Ablewhite said: “My aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“Unfortunately young people are most at risk of having a collision. Studies show that 25 per cent of 16-25 year olds will be involved in a collision within two years of passing their test.

“Drive iQ will allow us to engage with young people from the start, preparing them for the potential challenges they may face whilst driving. “It’s a good way to influence attitudes towards driving in a classroom environment and should equip young drivers with the attitude they need to stay safe on the roads.”

Matt Staton, Road Safety Education Team Leader from Cambridgeshire County Council said: “This web-based learning programme will help us educate young people into how to keep both themselves and others safe while driving. We will be launching the programme in June and inviting all schools and colleges to sign up for the autumn term.”

• In the past five years there have been 3,700 casualties in road traffic collisions within the 16 -25 year old group in Cambridgeshire.