WEST Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is calling for drivers to avoid distraction when driving.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association, which is promoting Road Safety Week from today until Saturday, said

road traffic collisions were still the leading cause of death for young adults between 15 and 19.

Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 18 people died in road accidents attended by firefighters

in West Yorkshire. Four of those were young people aged 15 to 19.

Area Manager Ian Bitcon said: “You’re four times more likely to crash if you use a mobile phone while driving and, what is worrying, is that 44 per cent of young people say they have texted while driving.

“Your distraction could have devastating consequences not just for you and your passengers, but also other road users. Just drive - this is the message we want to put across.”

Prevention staff in Bradford will be going into schools to speak to students and starting a course of training with police constables in being first responders at a road accident.