A MOTHER whose son died in a car crash has appeared in a hard-hitting video to help save the lives of young drivers.

Ali Reynolds says she wants to prevent any other parent going through such an experience and is backing a campaign to raise awareness of road safety.

Her 21-year-old son Lee died in 2000 after the car he was driving was in a crash with a van.

He died a week later in hospital after being placed in a coma.

His family agreed for his organs to be used to help save the lives of others, which his mother says had been a comfort.

Mrs Reynolds, a hotel manager from Bexhill, made the video with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to teach the importance of taking care behind the wall.

In the video, which is available on YouTube, she says her son passed his driving test at the age of 17 and used to “drive like a lunatic”.

She said his family would tell him to slow down and there were times he did not wear a seatbelt.

Mrs Reynolds also highlighted what is known as the fatal four causes of crashes –mobile phones, seatbelts, drink and drug driving and speeding.

She said: “I think that when a youngster gets into a car they need to be aware that they are in charge of vehicle that can weigh up to one and a half tonnes and they are not invincible.

“They need to be sensible. They need to think about what they are doing.

“They need to have that seatbelt on and ignore their mobile phones.

“They really need to think about the consequences of behaving in a way that’s not appropriate as it can affect all manner of people – not just the immediate family.

“The ripples go on and on. It’s endless.

“I feel that a little more road awareness is needed out there. I think youngsters need to be taught about road safety the same way they are taught anything else.”

Mrs Reynolds agreed to be interviewed by the fire service to encourage people to make a pledge to the Edward Project.

This strives for zero roads deaths on the highways of Europe on one day on September 21.

For more details about the project and the pledge, visit projectedward.eu/pledge.