Young driver zero booze limit calls
Updated on 14 July 2008
The legal blood alcohol limit should be reduced to zero for drivers aged 17 to 20, the government's chief medical officer has said.
Sir Liam Donaldson said that although the measure may prove unpopular, he believed it would reduce road deaths among young people.
In his annual report Sir Liam called for a new focus on the health issues facing teenagers. He highlighted six key factors threatening the well-being of young people: smoking, alcohol and drugs, accidents and violence, diet, physical activity and sexual health.
Transport accidents are the leading cause of death among 16 to 18-year-olds, and in 2005 drivers aged 17-19 had 1,080 drink-drive accidents.
Introducing a zero alcohol limit for young drivers would help reduce this figure... I'm aware that this is a controversial recommendation, but I believe it will save lives," he said.
His report pointed out that alcohol use increases the risk of a crash for a young driver two and a half times more than for an older driver.
An effective zero limit for young and novice drivers is in force in 14 European countries, as well as a number of Canadian provinces and Australian states.
The Liberal Democrats gave a cool response to the call. Their transport spokesman, Norman Baker, said: "There is a real argument to lower the drink-driving limit for all motorists to 50mg, in line with many European countries.
"But a zero limit risks criminalising those whose driving is not impaired.
"Young drivers could face legal problems because they have had a couple of drinks the night before or used alcohol in cooking. The answer is a lower limit for all drivers."
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