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Legal hearings expected over drinking ban
15 July, 2008The blood-alcohol level for younger drivers should be zero, according to a government report.
The blood-alcohol level for younger drivers should be zero, according to a government report.
In a report concerning the high number of deaths caused by young drivers, the government's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has called for an outright ban on drivers aged between 17 and 20 drinking before driving.
The legal implications of implementing such a law could see the demand for defence lawyers rise, as the ambiguities of alcohol levels will almost certainly lead to controversial prosecutions.
With a zero limit of alcohol, there will be no room for error in young people believing they should have either one or two drinks, but there could be legal arguments over teenagers stopped the morning after having only a small amount of alcohol, if it has not left the blood stream.
Commenting on the proposals, Sir Liam said: "Inexperienced drivers have a higher rate of being involved in accidents, and the rate of crashes for young drivers who have been drinking is 2.5 times higher than for older drink drivers.
"Recent surveys have found younger drivers are more likely to think it is acceptable to drive after drinking two pints, in contrast to older drivers."
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