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| No alcohol for young drivers call | No alcohol for young drivers call |
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| The legal blood alcohol limit should be reduced to zero in England for drivers aged 17 to 20, the country's chief medical officer has urged. | The legal blood alcohol limit should be reduced to zero in England for drivers aged 17 to 20, the country's chief medical officer has urged. |
| Sir Liam Donaldson said in his annual report that although there was a risk the move would be unpopular among young people, it would improve road safety. | Sir Liam Donaldson said in his annual report that although there was a risk the move would be unpopular among young people, it would improve road safety. |
| Government transport statistics show more than 14 young drivers and their passengers die every week in Britain. | Government transport statistics show more than 14 young drivers and their passengers die every week in Britain. |
| The legal limit is 80 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. | The legal limit is 80 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. |
| The move would not require a major increase in policing, Sir Liam added. | The move would not require a major increase in policing, Sir Liam added. |
| Young people have enough difficulty when they first start driving learning the skills on the road, they don't need the complication of drink as well Professor Sir Liam DonaldsonChief Medical Officer for England | |
| He said it would be a "sensible public health measure" that would save lives. | |
| He said road traffic accidents were a significant cause of death among young people. | |
| Sir Liam told the BBC: "We know that even without alcohol young people are more likely to have an accident because they are inexperienced drivers, and then even with them driving within the alcohol limit they are much more likely to have an accident than an older driver within the alcohol limit. | |
| "Young people have enough difficulty when they first start driving learning the skills on the road, they don't need the complication of drink as well." | |
| Road safety charity Brake has previously called on the government to introduce a graduated driver licensing scheme, similar to those operating in New Zealand, Canada and the US, to tackle the problem. | Road safety charity Brake has previously called on the government to introduce a graduated driver licensing scheme, similar to those operating in New Zealand, Canada and the US, to tackle the problem. |
| The scheme typically includes a minimum learner-driver period and a novice-driver period after practical and theory tests have been passed. | The scheme typically includes a minimum learner-driver period and a novice-driver period after practical and theory tests have been passed. |
| There can also be restrictions on driving at night and carrying passengers. | There can also be restrictions on driving at night and carrying passengers. |