A SERIOUS road accident that left a young man with permanent injuries paved the way for him to become one of the country's youngest driving instructors.

Carl Green became a qualified driving instructor at just 22, nine months after he was involved in a crash on a country road.

Now he hopes his youthful experience will help other young drivers stay safe.

Backing the Telegraph's Wasted Lives campaign, Carl said: "Racing around is not worth it. I would be devastated if any of the young drivers I had taught were involved in a serious crash. The Pass Plus training scheme for new drivers should be compulsory. Not enough people take it up at the moment. Wearing P-plates after you have passed is also a good idea because it allows other road users to give you more time and space.

"Too many young people pass their tests, jump on mum or dad's insurance, grab the keys and off they go.

"Within five minutes they're driving far too quick and way, way out of their talent bracket. Speed is not the killer; it's the environment and the attitude of the driver."

Carl, now 25, said: "I used to work in a vet's and one day I was driving through Hebden Bridge when a stationary car on the other side of the road indicated to turn right. I thought it would wait until I had gone past but it smashed into the side of my car and sent me crashing into a field.

"The accident wrote off my new MG, which was my pride and joy, and left me with permanent back and shoulder damage."

Instructors must have four year's driving experience before they can sit their exams - the youngest age they can sit them is at 21.

"I had passed my test on the second attempt when I was 17," said Carl. "I had a few speeding tickets and a few scrapes. After the accident I knew I wanted to do something to make the roads safer, which is why I trained to become an instructor."

Carl, of Browhead Road, Burnley, worked as an AA instructor for two years before starting up his own company Fast Pass Driving School.

Carl said his age is a positive teaching tool and said: "I can teach them from my own experience, especially on local roads. An older tutor can sound like he is giving a lecture but I am on their level. It's not smart to drive fast if you are going to end up wrapped round a tree."