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Students taking a year off before university are being warned about the often forgotten danger of the road.

With many of those receiving A-level results readying themselves to head off around the globe, the dangers of roads abroad are not considered, despite the fact that 65% of all accidental deaths involving Britons abroad are caused by road accidents.

Government figures also show that young men are particularly at risk.

In total, there are around 200,000 Brits aged between 18 and 25 travelling, working or living abroad and around 30,000 students will defer a university place to travel.

Edmund King, director of the RAC Foundation, which is behind the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving abroad, said: 'Many young people are planning for trips abroad, and whereas most are good at taking precautions about getting jabs for diseases and about looking after their money.

'Ironically the thing they think least about is their road safety.'

Young people are thought to be at particular risk as they often are not aware of foreign driving regulations.

Mr King explained that a further danger also existed about how well vehicles are maintained with licensing and testing standards not universally held.


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