Zero alcohol call for young drivers
* Says it'll improve safety * 14 youngsters die each week...
The legal blood alcohol limit should be cut to zero for drivers aged 17-20, according to Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England.
Sir Liam stated that although the move would be unpopular with young drivers, it would improve road safety for all motorists.
Current data shows that 14 youngsters die each week in car accidents in the UK.
The current legal limit in the UK is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. This is higher than most European countries.
Last year, there were over 1000 drink-drive accidents involving teenagers. Transport accidents are a leading cause of death for teenagers.
Sir Liam told the BBC: 'Young people have enough difficulty when they first start driving. They don't need the complication of drink as well'.
Research shows that alcohol consumption increases the risk of a crash for young drivers two-and-a-half times more than it does for older drivers.
Sir Liam said that enforcing such a move would not need a major increase in policing and would be a 'sensible public heath measure'.
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