MORE action is needed to ensure rural roads are safer, a young farmers’ organisation said.

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, along with road safety charity Brake, said too many fatal crashes happen on country lanes.

The organisation, which represents 23,000 young people in rural areas, is set to meet government ministers this week.

The Lancashire Telegraph has campaigned for improved laws and regulation to reduce the number of young people killed on our roads as part of the Wasted Lives campaign.

NFYFC vice-chairman Milly Wastie said: “We really need to step up.

“Everyone knows someone that’s either a friend or a family member that has lost their life.”

She said she wanted funding for a specific person in each county running rural driver training and hazard-awareness courses.

She is also calling for specific targets for cutting rural road deaths.

Road safety minister Mike Penning said: “We welcome the support of any group looking to improve road safety, especially those involving young people.

“Any road death or injury is a tragedy and I will continue to take urgent action to crack down on the most dangerous drivers while improving training to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The campaign group Brake said many people see the countryside as their own ‘personal race circuit’, where they’re free to drive as fast as they like.