Over 60 times more young men than young women were convicted of the UK’s two most serious driving offences in 2005 (causing death or bodily harm and dangerous driving).

According to figures released by the Department of Justice male drivers aged 17-20 were responsible for 1,993 of the 6,177 total convictions representing nearly a third (32.2%) of such convictions despite only representing around 3% of the UK driving population.

By contrast, the proportion for women of the same age was just 0.5%.

The analysis also reveals that drivers under 21 were responsible for 15% of all UK motoring convictions: nearly three times more than their proportion of the driving population would warrant.

When considering the overall proportion of men versus women of all ages convicted across the 25 categories, the figures show that 88% of convictions were for men.

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: "It's particularly worrying to see the steady rise in the proportion of convictions for causing death by dangerous driving against young drivers.

“This adds weight to urgent calls for the Government to overhaul our whole system of learning to drive. Brake wants to see a graduated driver licensing system introduced, with restrictions protecting young drivers from exposure to driving in the situations where they are most likely to crash.

“Each conviction represents devastation to individuals, families and communities. We can't afford to delay."

The figures also revealed that almost all (94%) convictions for causing death by dangerous driving continue to be against male drivers.

The proportion of convictions for causing death by dangerous driving against drivers aged under 21 also continued to rise (27% in 2005, up from 26% in 2004 and 24% in 2003).

Analysis of the figures was done by esure.