MORE than half of Scotland's young people say their lives have been put at risk by inexperienced peers speeding or drink-driving.

A survey by road safety charity Brake revealed that 57% of 17 to 24-year-olds have been endangered by their friends’ driving while travelling as passengers.

The findings, released yesterday to mark the launch of Road Safety Week, also showed that half of young people often fear for their lives when travelling with a young driver at the wheel.

Brake is now calling for changes to driver legislation, including “graduated driver licensing” which would see a minimum learning-to-drive period and restrictions for novice drivers.

The charity claims that this could save 200 deaths and thousands of serious injuries each year.

Richard Coteau, campaign officer at Brake, said: “It is unacceptable that more young people die in preventable road crashes than from any other cause.

“Every day, more families face the unbearable news that a loved one has been killed suddenly and violently, or suffered a horrific injury, in young driver crashes. We are calling for action to tackle this needless suffering and the huge costs to society.

“We need drivers of all ages in Scotland to show compassion at the wheel, to realise they have lives in their hands and pledge to drive safely and legally.

“And we need the Government to help young, inexperienced drivers to be safer, by im-plementing graduated driver licensing. We’re appealing for a commitment to this evidenced, life-saving policy during Road Safety Week.”

The charity’s calls have been backed by the families of young road death victims, who have also urged younger drivers to take better care.

Olwen Bale, of Glenrothes, Fife, lost her 24-year-old son Richard in a road accident in January 2007.

Richard was crossing the road in the early hours of the morning when he was knocked down and killed by a young driver.

Mrs Bale said: “Rick’s death ruined my life. My husband died a year before of cancer, and Richard became my rock. He was my best friend as well as my son.

“He became a father figure to his sisters. I just felt numb after his death. I spent a year in limbo, unable to contemplate what had happened.

“Please, if you are a young driver, think of the consequences of taking risks at the wheel and pledge to drive safely.”

Young drivers aged 17 to 24 are involved in a disproportionately high number of crashes which often result in death and serious injury.

Every week in Scotland a young person is killed in a road traffic accident, while serious injuries – including brain damage, paralysis or loss of limbs – occur every 19 hours.

UK-wide, young drivers account for one in four road deaths and serious injuries – 17 deaths or injuries a day – despite making up just 12% of licence holders.

Brake claims that changes to the legislation would prevent 22 deaths a year in Scotland alone and save the economy £80 million.

The majority of the 933 young Scots questioned in the survey supported a tougher regime, with 81% in favour of at least one type of licence restriction such as a zero-tolerance alcohol limit or tougher penalties.

The study, carried out in partnership with QBE Insurance, also revealed that 22% of young people have been a passenger with a young driver who had been drinking or taking drugs.

One quarter admitted to not wearing a seat belt, while 55% said they have been a passenger when speed limits were breached by more than 10mph.

Road Safety Week, now in its 15th year, runs until Sunday.