YOUNG drivers are to be offered free road safety training vouchers in an effort to cut the number of crashes.

People aged up to 25 in County Durham and Darlington will be able to download free vouchers allowing them to take part in the Excelerate programme offering extra training after they pass their driving test.

The vouchers, which have no expiry date, will also be available during 2016 from a number of outlets throughout County Durham and Darlington.

Paul Watson, road safety manager at Durham County Council, said: “Nine per cent of all driving licences are held by young drivers but according to research they are involved in 40 per cent of fatal road crashes on our roads.

“The Excelerate young driver course looks at the three main kinds of crashes involving young drivers and works with them to help them to protect themselves and others while they’re behind the wheel.”

The Excelerate programme is funded by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg who said: "This is an excellent course for young people as it will help them to forge a sensible attitude to their driving and prepare them for a safer future on our roads.

“This is also an ideal opportunity which parents can take advantage of and enrol new drivers in their family on to the free training course."

For more information, and to download a voucher, visit www.exceleratedurham.com or www.durham.gov.uk/roadsafety