Amy Louise Hardy, 20, of Barmby Moor, and 18-year-old Lindsay Coulter-Maltby, of Fangfoss, both died when the red Vauxhall Corsa they were travelling in hit a fence and overturned in a field in East Yorkshire on Monday night.

Three other people in the vehicle were treated in hospital for their injuries, including a 17-year-old youth who was arrested in connection with the crash and later released on police bail.

The incident happened as the car was travelling on the B1246 between North Dalton and Warter, which officers said highlighted a worrying trend in the region.

Collision investigators have been making inquiries at the scene and a forensic examination is being carried out on the vehicle.

Colleagues have meanwhile pledged to tackle the issue through a combination of enforcement and education.

Humberside Police casualty reduction officer, Pc Glen Dennis, has been looking into the broader issue of casualty reduction in the East Riding and said there is still a problem both locally and nationally with young drivers in accidents.

He said: "Across the Humberside region young drivers account for almost a third of those killed or seriously injured and the East Riding has the worst problem with around 30 per cent of those collisions happening here.

"As a force we are working to tackle this problem and are taking steps to try and reduce these numbers and prevent other families having to cope with the loss of loved ones through incidents on our roads."

The force said it had already taken a proactive approach to improving safety rates among young drivers.

Measures taken so far include using targeted intelligence-led enforcement in key areas, including Bridlington, Beverley, Hessle and Goole.

During January and February this year, a two-month long campaign concentrated on young drivers – leading to a total of 71 young drivers being prosecuted for various motoring offences.

In 2006 to 2007, some 25 per cent of all fixed penalty notices handed out to motorists were issued to young drivers. Further enforcement campaigns are to follow.

The ABS (Arrive, Be Safe) schemes are also being delivered to sixth form colleges across the region in partnership with other agencies including the fire service and local authorities.

Earlier this month, Humberside Police took part in a European-wide speed enforcement campaign, concentrating on areas across the force area where collisions occurred in recent years.

Insp Neil Patterson from Humberside Police operations branch, said: "Seventy per cent of motorists exceed speed limits during everyday journeys, most being unaware of the potential consequences."