'Frightening' evidence of child drivers facing court

More than one child a week was prosecuted for dangerous driving last year, new figures have revealed.

Sixty-six under-age drivers were convicted of the offence in 2015, according to statistics released by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

One person under 17 was convicted of death by dangerous driving, while youths were also guilty of drink and drug driving and failing to provide a specimen.

Churchill Car Insurance, which complied the figures through Freedom of Information requests, said the number of offences was "frightening".

Steve Barrett, the company's head of car insurance, said: "While the volumes of offences concerning under-age and under the influence drivers are low, the impact on the victims and their families involved in accidents with these drivers is immeasurable.

"Highlighting these frightening statistics will hopefully act as a catalyst for the Government and educators to address this issue as a matter of urgency."

Twelve children were convicted of drink-driving last year, while four were prosecuted for failing to provided a specimen, according to the figures.

A child under 17 was also convicted of driving or attempting to drive with drugs in their system, Churchill said.

Figures previously obtained by the company showed 923 under-age drivers were prosecuted for driving offences more than once between 2013 and May last year, including three aged just 12.

One 16 year old had been prosecuted 15 times for driving offences during the same period, according to the firm.