Three men were killed on the A541 road last month

Latest figures show that 14 of the 36 victims who died in collisions in 2004 were young men aged between 17 and 24.

In 2003 the death toll for people of all ages killed in car accidents was 16.

North Wales Police said it was now planning a campaign to target young drivers.

On Sunday night I attended a horrific crash on the outskirts of Llandudno Superintendent Mark Owen

There were a further three deaths in the first month of this year.

"Bereavement is a shattering experience but it is particularly so when the victim is so young," said Gareth Osmond Jones, North Wales Police's collision reduction advisor.

"A loss of life in such avoidable circumstances is horrific and senseless," he added.

Police say most of the cars involved were small hatchbacks including the Renault Clio, Peugeot 106 and Citroen Saxo and speed was a significant factor in many of the accidents.

The force is now planning a campaign to target young drivers.

However, Superintendent Mark Owen said it is not just a policing issue and must also involve young people themselves.

Killed

"I am very much aware of the concerns of parents when youngsters go out in their cars," he said.

"On Sunday night I attended a horrific crash on the outskirts of Llandudno. This involved a young male driver and regrettably resulted in the death of a young male passenger.

"I am very worried that this is he latest collision in a developing trend," he added.

Last month a father and son died alongside a family friend in a late night car accident in Flintshire while travelling home from a rally social meeting.

The crash happened on the A541 Mold to Wrexham road at Pontblyddyn.

David Echlin, 42, his 16-year-old son James and friend Richard Parry, the driver and thought to be aged 23, were in the same car, a Peugeot 205.

No other vehicles were involved.

In addition a safe driving publicity campaign was launched on Thursday by Welsh assembly deputy economic development and transport minister Tamsin Dunwoody Kneafsey.

The all Wales campaign is aimed at everybody, but particularly younger male drivers.