Footballers shown crash aftermath

Graphic images showing the bloodied victims of car crashes have been shown to young footballers in a bid to force them to be more responsible drivers.

The professional Middlesbrough footballers met Cleveland Fire Brigade chiefs to see the Learn and Live campaign aimed at young people.

One third of accidents involve young men aged under 20, statistics show.

The footballers were shown images of a mother and son run over, and a toddler crushed as a car veered into a garden.

The presentation has already been shown in colleges across the four districts in the brigade area, and 25 academy scholars from Middlesbrough Football Club saw it at Rockcliffe training ground.

Shock tactics

Steve Walton, Coulby Newham fire station manager, said: "We feel it's very important, especially with the income and lifestyle that young football players can have which allows them to buy fast cars, it puts them at risk."

Watch manager Jimmy Robson said: "Young drivers are twice as likely to die when they are travelling in a car with people the same age group.

"Although the footage is bad, it is nothing like the real thing - we see the real thing.

"If it takes shock tactics then we will try that."

Young footballer Danny Graham, who drives a Range Rover, said after watching the video: "It's quite a powerful car but I think I will stick to the speed limit now."