John Vine feels children should be able to recognise fantasy driving

The warning has come from Tayside Police Chief Constable, John Vine.

He has said that youngsters must realise what they see on television, films and computer games, is not always acceptable in real life.

There have been concerns recently about people filming themselves speeding in order to post on the internet.

It is also feared that young motorists could be racing each other or competing to carry out the riskiest manoeuvre.

'Affect attitudes'

Mr Vine, who is also the chairman of the road policing unit at the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said: "Acpos recognises that the debate about the influence of television, film and computer games goes on regarding young people's behaviour in many aspects of life.

"This includes how the content of those media may affect attitudes towards driving and mortality.

"The Scottish Police Service would like to re-iterate that any operator of any vehicle that violates the laws of the road will be robustly investigated in order that the courts can bring the full weight of the law down in society's efforts to bring about a change in that person's behaviour for the better.

"It goes without saying that parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children understand the difference between fantasy (as illustrated in some television programs, some films and some computer games) and reality by the time they are old enough to apply for a driving licence."