Ask most people who's the biggest menace on the road and they will probably say boy racers'.

But new research by the Bradford-based West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partner-ship shows that young drivers might not entirely deserve their reputation for reckless driving, to the accompaniment of loud, pounding music.

Analysis of speeding and red-light offences in West Yorkshire by age from 2005-2007 reveals that, out of a total of 141,242 offences, fewer than seven per cent - 9,737 - were committed by drivers aged 16 to 24.

But 28,738 offences were committed by 25 to 34-year-olds and 38,529 by 35 to 44-year-olds.

All together, older and more experienced drivers accounted for more than 93 per cent - 131,505 - of all speeding offences.

"It's easy to blame young people for the ills of society," said Steve Thornton, chairman of the casualty reduction partnership. "They are an easy target to brand as speeders but these new figures prove this is not the case. You'd think that older, more mature and more experienced drivers would set a better example."

The research is accompanied by two photo-fit pictures, prepared by West Yorkshire Police, with the question: "Who do you think is the speeder?"

Philip Gwynne, spokesman for the partnership, said: "When people look at these photo-fits, many will automatically assume it's going to be the spotty lad in the back-to-front baseball cap.

"We think people will be quite surprised to learn that the speeder is the man in the collar and tie who has 2.4 children, holds down a good job and commutes to work every day.

"When we get calls from residents about reckless drivers speeding down their street, people assume it's teenagers. In reality, it's the perceived boy racers' dads who are the ones being found speeding.

"It's true that in 2006 there was a spike in the fatal and serious injury figures caused by crashes involving young drivers and that group is still responsible for a disproportionate number of accidents.

"However, it's not true to make that leap of faith to say they must therefore be the worst, nastiest and fastest drivers on the roads."

The research was carried out ahead of The Great Yorkshire (street legal) Cruise, which aims to attract the region's young drivers to Elland Road, Leeds, on April 26.

The pioneering event, supported by the casualty reduction partnership, will see young drivers taking part in a show and shine challenge in a safe, legal and fun environment.

The event will provide an opportunity for them to meet, engage with and ask questions of police, speed camera patrols, road safety crews and paramedics. The day will involve a range of driver-related experiences and activities, while participants will receive important road safety advice.

The casualty reduction partnership has carried out several studies in recent years to chart driving trends, looking at the age of drivers involved in crashes, the areas they come from and the causes of the collisions.