Experts Mull Zero Drink-Drive Limit For Young Drivers

Aiming to cut the drink-drive accidents, the Government's chief medical officer today called for a zero blood-alcohol limit for drivers aged 17 to 20.

As even small quantities of alcohol affected younger people more than it affected the elders, with the present recommended blood - alcohol limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood the chances of road accidents soared two and a half times for teenagers than older people, Sir Liam Donaldson highlighted.

With over 1,000 drink-drive accidents involving drivers aged 17 to 19 were reported in 2005, Sir Liam believes the new recommendations would reduce road deaths among young people.

However, calling his recommendations ‘controversial’ Sir Liam believes ‘it will save lives’.

Citing a technical hitch with the zero-limit programme like, the alcohol content of some mouthwashes could give a false reading, Sir Liam said for technical reasons the legal limit might be set just above zero, but the effective limit will however be zero.

Supporting the call for zero drink-drive limit Mary Williams, chief executive officer of Brake, a road-safety charity said, "Driving after drinking alcohol is extremely dangerous, causing hundreds of deaths each year, devastating families and friends across the country. Young, inexperienced drivers are particularly vulnerable road users, and this combined with alcohol quickly leads to tragedy."

Transport statistics reveal as high as 14 young drivers and their passengers die in Britain every week. Adding to further woes, one in five drivers aged 17-18 admits drink driving, according to a survey published in 2007.

While the legal drink-driving limit in the UK is 0.8 grams per liter for all ages, in many other European countries the limit is 0.5g. However, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Florida have a zero or close to zero limit for novice or young drivers.