Police will use a website to answer young drivers' questions

Officers from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary have teamed up with a local motoring group to help make 17 to 25-year-olds safer behind the wheel.

They are using the Dumfries Cruise website to offer advice on road safety issues and traffic legislation.

So far this year, 25 people have been killed on the roads in Dumfries and Galloway.

The scheme aims to break down barriers between young drivers and the public.

Sgt Scott McLachlan from the road safety unit will liaise with Cruise.

He said: "We were concerned by the number of reports we received about young people driving irresponsibly.

I know there are problems with younger drivers racing about the towns Jamie Carruthers Dumfries Cruise

"There was also some unease about the number of young drivers becoming involved in road traffic collisions.

"With this in mind we started looking at the different ways we could get our messages to young people in an accessible way."

Sgt McLachlan said so far they had developed a good rapport with young drivers through the website.

Jamie Carruthers, from Dumfries Cruise, said: "I know there are problems with younger drivers racing about the towns but that has nothing to do with the Cruise.

"We share the public's concerns and don't condone that type of behaviour.

"I thought if we could work with the police we would be able to help get the road safety message and advice on legal matters out to our members."