Younger motorists are being urged to make safety their overriding priority when they are purchasing a new car.

According to research commissioned by Brake and Direct Line, just 37 per cent of drivers aged between 17 and 24 consider safety one of the three most important issues to consider when buying a vehicle. 

This was smaller than the proportion who cited the brand of a car as one of their main considerations. Furthermore, more than one in five younger motorists said they want so-called infotainment systems in their car.

Brake is concerned at the findings, as it believes safety must be the number one priority for everyone who takes to the road.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of the charity, commented: "Vehicle safety technology has come on leaps and bounds, and a large part of the casualty reductions we have seen in recent decades are likely to be attributable to this. 

"It is important that all drivers take advantage of these advances as much as possible, to protect both themselves and the people around them on foot and bike."

Ms Townsend went on to stress that the safety of any vehicle is also largely determined by the person behind the wheel.

As a result, she has urged people to not only choose the safest possible vehicle but also drive in a legal and considerate way.

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line, added that although fewer than half of the younger drivers surveyed ranked safety as one of their top three priorities when buying a car, this group is actually most at risk of crashing.

He also stressed that with more cars being fitted with infotainment systems, drivers must be sensible, as even a single moment of distraction could lead to lives being lost.