Shocking figures from Peterborough City Council reveal young people are more at risk of being killed or seriously injured as pedestrians or cyclists than any other age group.

In 2007, 20 children aged 15 and under were injured on the city's roads, of whom five were cyclists and seven were pedestrians.

And almost one in five teenagers report being involved in a road accident or "near miss" on their way home from school, but only four per cent said road safety was their main concern.

When teenagers are on the road, some of the biggest dangers they face are talking to friends, listening to music, making mobile phone calls and text messaging, and so parents are being urged to remind youngsters these activities could prove to be fatal.

Road safety literature aimed at children, teenagers and parents is being distributed to all primary and secondary schools in Peterborough.

Posters featuring hard-hitting images will also be displayed inside buses to remind teenagers of possible fatal distractions on the road.

Peterborough city council's road safety officer, Clair George said: "Research has found that teenagers are easily distracted on the roads, especially when they're in small groups of friends.

"From the age of 11, young people start travelling more independently and greater distances. They also face many distractions when cycling on busy roads, walking in large groups, talking to friends, using mobile phones, listening to music and peer pressure. This campaign aims to encourage teenagers to be more aware of these issues when out on the roads."

As well as giving advice to pupils, road safety officers are warning motorists to take extra care on their journeys to work when children will be travelling to school and school crossing patrollers will be back on duty.

She added: "Our advice for parents with younger children is to teach road safety using real-life situations. Parents and carers are important role models, so it is vital they teach basic road safety messages by setting good examples. One of the most basic habits is to stop, look, listen and to hold hands with children when crossing the road."