THE devastated family of a talented young footballer killed in a car accident are backing a campaign to keep young drivers safe on the region's roads.

Jordan Dowson died in February 2014 while travelling as a back-seat passenger in his friend Josh Butters’ car on the A174 Brotton by-pass in east Cleveland.

The 19-year-old, of Guisborough, had been wearing a seatbelt and no one was alleged to have been speeding, but Teesside Crown Court heard how Butters had veered into the oncoming lane and collided with two cars – killing his friend at the scene and injuring his own girlfriend Ashley East.

Now Jordan's mother Tanya Lofthouse is spearheading a campaign to encourage young drivers to be more responsible on the roads by supporting Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) as it launches its Young Driver campaign today (Monday, Sept 26).

She said: “Every day is still very painful for us because Jordan should not have died that day. He was such a fun, happy character – he had his whole life ahead of him.

“We will never really know what happened. All we do know is there was no fault with the car and for some reason Josh was in the wrong lane, which caused the collision that ended Jordan’s life and changed ours forever.

“The pain never goes away, but we must learn to live with it. Talking about it is difficult, but we hope that by supporting the campaign we can show young people how road accidents can ruin and take lives. If it helps save one life, it will have been worth it.”

The campaign will be launched at Middlesbrough College, with representatives from RSGB NE, police and the fire service talking to students in the hope that other families do not endure similar suffering.

In the past five years, 38 young drivers have been killed on the region’s roads, 440 were seriously injured and almost 4,000 slightly injured. However, a total of 64 young people have died in that time, including passengers and pedestrians – of which Jordan was one.

Paul Watson, chairman of Road Safety GB North East, said: “People should not underestimate the impact a serious accident can have on themselves, friends and their families. They can kill and maim, and they can also lead to prison sentences, fines, poor job prospects and limitations on travelling abroad.

“Young drivers may not always be concerned about their own welfare, but could they live with the guilt if their behaviour led to the death of a friend? That’s the reality.”

PC Neil Foster, of Cleveland Road Policing Unit, who led the investigation into the crash, said: “This is a tragic case that has taken a life and changed the lives of countless others, and has created so much heartache.”

Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College, added: “The safety of young people is one of our main concerns and we will do all we can to promote safe behaviours.”

For more information about the campaign go to www.lookoutroadsafety.co.uk