Zero alcohol limit for young drivers to cut road deaths

Teenage motorists would face a complete ban on drinking and driving under proposals outlined by the Government's chief medical officer today.

In his annual health of the nation report, Sir Liam Donaldson recommends cutting the blood alcohol limit to zero for drivers aged 17 to 20.

Sir Liam said alcohol was to blame for more than 1,000 accidents a year involving teenage drivers. Teenagers who drink and drive are more than two and a half times as likely to be in a crash than older motorists.

Speaking at the launch of his report, Sir Liam said: "I am aware it is a controversial recommendation but I believe it will save lives. I like to think my recommendations are well judged and hope the Government will act."

A zero blood-alcohol limit introduced in Ontario, Canada, 10 years ago cut the accident rate among teenage drivers by 19 per cent. At least 14 countries in Europe have also effectively introduced a similar policy. In the UK the legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitresof blood - well above that of other countries.

The zero tolerance drink-drive proposal is part of a wider strategy by Sir Liam to improve the health of teenagers. He warned that large numbers of young people are putting their health in jeopardy through "risky behaviour".

His other main concerns are violence such as knife crime, unhealthy sex, alcohol, drugs and poor diet. He said: "Risk-taking is a rite of passage. The problem happens when these behaviours are dangerous or life-threatening and if they persist into adult life."

His report recommends that teenagers become directly involved in the design of services for their age group, and that a young person's panel be set up to advise on a national campaign to combat risk-taking.

The document says the health system is too focused on single issues such as teenage pregnancy. It also highlights the fact that young people visit their doctor less than any other age group.

Sir Liam also revealed that the UK tops the European league for rates of gullet cancer. Levels of the disease are now "sky-high" and it is believed that smoking, obesity, drinking and a lack of fruit and vegetables in diets are to blame.

Sir Liam called for a major study in an attempt to find ways of tackling this form of cancer.