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Young drivers to be banned from drinking?


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The legal blood alcohol limit should be reduced to zero for drivers aged 17 to 20, the British 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.

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.

Do you think this would be effective? If you're a teenager, would the threat of getting caught behind the wheel with even one drink in your system be enough to stop you from drinking before driving? And if you used to be a teenager, would it have stopped you then?
LindseyIndigo

16 responses // Young drivers to be banned from drinking?

  • The US driving age is ridiculous. 16 is way too young to drive. Vehicles, aside from being transportation are also deadly weapons. They should raise the driving age to at least 18.

    As far as drinking, I think they should lower the age limit to 16. This might seem crazy, but it normalizes alcohol use. That way teens are less likely to binge when they get out of the house and into college. Some of my European friends tell me that they used to drink beer or wine with the family at dinner. So when they became adults, booze was no big deal.

    About the drinking law discouraging teens. I don't think it will be that effective. Teens just won't think they're gonna get caught. EVERYONE drinks and drives in Los Angeles, even though a DUI can cost you up to $10g. That's why I like SF, I just hop on the train after a fun night of drinking.
    flyingkick
    1 response to this
  • I don' t know if the recklessness is because they are young, or because they are inexperienced. Sixteen is young, I agree. I was out of my mind at that age, but if you don't start actually driving until you're thirty, you might not be any better off. You have no clue what is going on. I guess. It is a combination. These are my thouuuuughts
    samonster34
  • Drunk driving and buzzed driving kills tens of thousands of teens and young adults every year. I think this is a good idea. It will save lives. Simple as that. Do you really have a right to drive buzzed anyway? I don't think so. Alcohol is a drug like any other - when we will begin treating it that way?
    Colonial_Zombie
  • Personally as a 16 year old who just got his liscence, i think that driving age should be left at where it is, besides its not the same everywhere.
    My friend in colorado was able to get hers at 15, and my friend in NJ could only get his until 17.
    But about the whole alcohol thing, according to the drivers manual, people under 21 with ANY alcohol in their blood would get punished.

    But yeah, i do agree, i would never drive after drinking even a zip of beer.
    i actually like living, thank you very muchh.

    and i do also agree that drinking age should be lowered, but whatever, i still drink and most of my friends do anyway.
    It would make it easier, but its not like the drinking age of 21 is stopping anyone.

    again, would i ever drive drunk, nope.
    oscarrwtff
  • driving drunk is fun - if you really wanted to reduce accidents you'd have to lower the speed limit to 30 , and even then you'd need more police .
    malathion
    1 response to this
  • First of all, most 16 yr olds take their cues from "cool adults", so unless adults stop drinking and driving themselves, teens never will.

    As for lowering the age limit for drinking, that's pretty stupid since the argument that if they aren't allowed to drink by law they won't drink at all has never rang true.

    How about we stop assuming that drinking and driving is only ok if you are a certain age, or that you can only drive well if you're a certain age (most adults are even bigger douchebags on the road than teens), and we apply these thoughts to all drivers, both teen and adult.

    Everytime we lump teens into a category (bad driving or drinking and driving) that applies to everyone who drives and make it seem as though they are more likely to fuck up, they will do everything to prove they won't fuck up. Such as drinking and driving to prove they can still drive even after drinking. Or driving fast to prove they can still drive well even while doing 100.

    So let's get over putting so much blame on kids and put the blame squarely where it belongs, in the hands of the adults in the situation. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be held responsible for their actions, but adults should also consider their role in the perpetuation of these events.
    Mafioso
  • If your not drinking and driving, you have no reason to worry. I say bring the hammer down hard. Don't do it, or don't get caught.
    Bigdog_mike
  • I think the legal limit for ANYONE should be 0 if they are driving.

    Leave the ages where they are.
    SilenceNoMore
    1 response to this
  • Have to agree with SNM. If you've been drinking you shouldn't be driving, that is not unreasonable in the least.
    jh64487
  • Most likely it would not make a difference. They should take a clue from the United States.
    lapedro
  • Here's my thoughts on having a zero limit for novices and 17-20 yr-olds.

    Get your thoughts down via a webcam and there's a good chance that if the story gets picked for TV, that you could see your webcam on the telly!
    mattbrawn
  • This is a good thing. Apart from being more susceptible to the bravado that comes when you're drunk, 16/17 year olds are also less likely to know how many units they've had in terms of alcohol, and will therefore be more likely to be over the limit in the first place. This would at least let people know where they stand.
    kristianbrodie
  • Why confuse people? Drinking and driving do not go together, so there should be zero tolerance on drink-driving irrespective of the driver's age.
    JanaPokana

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