THE mother of a Hampshire youngster who died in a crash caused by a speeding teenager has launched a campaign to curb the number of youngsters who die on the roads.

Hundreds of people have already backed the move by Yvonne Walters launched after the death of her daughter Esther.

The 17-year-old died after a car driven too fast by Richard Hadler crashed in the New Forest.

Hadler who was 19 at the time, was driving at more than 20 miles an hour above the speed limit as he drove with Esther and their other friend and colleague Dan Parker from the Sandy Balls holiday camp.

But he lost control of the Vauxhall Corsa which hit a grass verg and overturned.

Esther, who was from Sandleheath and went to South Wilts Grammar School, died in hospital of brain and neck injuries within 24 hours of the accident in 2011.

Two years ago, Hadler of Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and given a supervision order as well as a five-year driving ban.

Now Esther’s mum, Yvonne, has set up a petition calling for an additional driving test to prevent accidents caused by inexperienced drivers.

She is calling for a ‘transitional test’ on taking ownership or hiring a motor vehicle.

“My beautiful daughter Esther had dreams like any other child of a future ahead of her.

‘Broken-hearted’ “Esther was intelligent, funny, caring and a true friend to so many whose hearts are broken without her now in their lives,” she said.

“This was an accident that could easily have been prevented and would have saved the life of my precious daughter, if the driver had knowledge of the features and capabilities of his new car.”

Mrs Walters has set up a petition, which has already attracted more than 400 signatures, at epetitions.direct.gov.uk.