A dozen children caught drink-driving last year

At least 66 children - more than one a week - were convicted of dangerous driving last year, despite being too young for a licence.

At least 12 children were convicted of driving (or attempting to drive) while over the limit, and four prosecuted for driving (or attempting to drive) and then failing to supply a specimen for analysis.

One under-17 was convicted for causing death by dangerous driving, and one for having been found with drugs in their system, research by Churchill Insurance has revealed.

And in the last three years, minors have also been convicted of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, and causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured.

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

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

Earlier this month, a 16-year-old boy who rammed into a police car was arrested after a ten-minute car chase in Erdington, Birmingham, during which he went over a central reservation and onto the wrong side of a dual carriageway.

And in January, a group of drivers as young as 14 were found to be regularly driving around in Bradford.

In one of the most extreme cases, an 11-year-old was caught driving in the Thames Valley area in 2011.

But many of these children aren't learning their lesson. According to Churchill, more than 900 underage drivers have been prosecuted more than once for driving offences, with children as young as 12 convicted multiple times.

One child aged just 16 has already racked up 15 prosecutions for driving offences.

However, even when minors are caught and convicted, they are often able to get a driving licence when they turn 17, as bans for underage drivers can start from the date of conviction, meaning they could have expired by the time the child reaches 17.

Chrurchill is calling for an urgent review of the current deterrents, saying they are just not good enough.

Under-17s prosecuted for driving offences 2015
DR10 – Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above limit: 12
DR30 – Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis: 4
DD40 – Dangerous driving: 66
DD – Causing death by dangerous driving: 1
DG10 – Driving or attempting to drive with drug above the specified limit (law came into force March 2015): 1
DR80 – Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs: 1
CD90 – Causing death by driving; unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers: 0