Thursday, 30 Aug 2007 10:13
A report released today claims too many teenagers are recklessly taking to the road under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The joint report, carried out by Brake and Co-operative Insurance, urged ministers to take action immediately to curtail this worrying trend.
The authors suggested there should be a zero tolerance alcohol limit for new drivers and a more gradual process for obtaining a licence.
Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said “Every day young drivers kill and seriously injure themselves and others through a deadly combination of inexperience and taking risks like drink and drug driving.
“Decisive government action to tackle young driver crashes is long overdue.
“We are demanding that the government moves forward with an overhaul of driver training and testing, and introduces graduated driver licensing, which has been highly effective in cutting casualties in other countries.”
Ms Holland also insisted compulsory road safety education should be introduced in schools to raise awareness, and that traffic policing urgently needed greater investment.
Of road safety in general, the report said the alcohol limit was too lenient and should be tightened from the currently acceptable 80mg per 100ml to 50mg per 100ml.
It endorsed the transport committee’s conclusions – presented to parliament last month – which advocated raising the minimum age for acquiring a driving licence to 18.
The review also recommended spreading lessons over a year and a complete ban on alcohol for new drivers.
More controversial was the proposition claiming young drivers should be banned from carrying passengers between the ages of ten and 20 at night. The transport committee is likely to put these to public consultation later this year.
Source: Politics.co.uk website 30/08/07
Any comments from members of the Bedford & District Driving Instructors Association (BADDIA)?
