The crash in Gillingham came the evening before it was revealed that there had been an increase in road deaths across the country, with crashes the leading cause of death among young people aged 16-24.

In a report from the House of Commons Transport Select Committee the government was told it needed 'stronger leadership and a clearer vision' on road safety after the first increase in road deaths since 2003.

Figures released from Norfolk and Suffolk showed that both counties had seen rises in road deaths between 2010 and 2011, however they were lower than in 2009.

In Cambridgeshire deaths had fallen between 2010 and 2011, but both were higher than 2009.

Statistics from Norfolk Police showed that between April 2009 and March 2010 there were 56 deaths while in the same period in 2010 and 2011 there were 33 but this rose to 44 between 2011 and 2012. In the last 12 months there have been 45.

Of these deaths the number aged 17-25 was 18 in 2009/2010, eight the following year, 10 between 2011/2012 and 15 in the last 12 months.

Iain Templeton, team manager of casualty reduction at Norfolk County Council, said The Think! Norfolk Partnership, which includes the council, emergency services and Highways Agency, are running a scheme called Tread aimed at educating 17-25 year olds, while they are also due to launch a large-scale campaign in September to remind everyone of the road-safety services they offer.

'After a long period of success we have seen a slight increase in the number of casualties on our roads,' he said.

'It is reminder to us and the road users of Norfolk that we can't be complacent and we can all work hard together to improve the safety of our roads.'

In Suffolk the number of deaths on the roads rose between 2010 and 2011, but is down significantly from 2003 when there were 60. In 2009 there were 42, in 2010 there were 20, in 2011 there were 30 and so far this year there have been 13.

In Cambridgeshire road deaths have been falling since 2010. In 2009 there were 23, in 2010 there were 40, there were 33 in 2011 and so far this year there have been 14.

Of these 14 of those were aged between 17 and 25 in 2010, 11 in 2011 and three this year.

This also comes as The Department of Transport has launched a three-month consultation looking at how reducing speed limits can save lives.

The consultation is examining rural and urban speed limits and will be used to help local authorities set speed limits.

In the rural speed management section in the bundle of consultation papers is a proposal to bring in 40mph limits in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and minor rural roads.

In 2010 68pc of deaths in Britain occurred on rural roads.