Hard-hitting adverts with disturbing and violent images are being shown to young drivers at nightclubs, cinemas, town centres and known hangouts across Medway.

The aim of the campaign, which is led by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, is to educate young drivers about the consequences of irresponsible driving.

Some of the images are so distressing that one of the films uploaded on to YouTube was removed from the site for being too violent.

Research carried out by the partnership showed that young drivers felt the worst possible consequence of driving irresponsibly was to kill or injure someone else, particularly a child.

Katherine Barrett, communications officer for the Partnership, said: "The adverts show the massive consequences that can result from speeding and other inappropriate behaviour, and the effects they have on the driver, passengers, families and friends.

"The impacts of a car crash can be far-reaching and we hope this activity will making people think about what they could be responsible for and how their lives could be changed before they get behind the wheel."

The adverts are being shown as part of the "Grow up. Slow down" campaign and can be seen on the campaign website www.kmscp.org/gusd.

Anyone who views them can order a free copy of 1stCar magazine and a colour-changing car keying.

Please note. Some people may find the images disturbing

Some young driver facts:

- Statistics show that drivers are most at risk of having an accident in the first two years or so after they pass their test.

- One in five newly qualified drivers has a crash of some description within a year.

- Around 16 per cent more drivers aged 16-19 are killed now compared with 15 years ago.

- New drivers should remember that they are "on probation" for the first two years. If they get six penalty points in this time, they lose their licence and can only get it back if they pass a re-test.

- 17 to 24 year olds accounted for 20 per cent of all deaths and a quarter of all serious injuries on Kent’s roads in 2007. 89% of the deaths and 79% of the seriously injured casualties were male.