Close message

News Centre

One in five teens drink and drive

30 August 2007



One in five teens drink and drive - One in five teens drink and drive
by Stuart Milne

One in five 17 to 18 year olds admits to drink driving, a new survey has found.

And one in fourteen, admitted driving while under the influence of drugs.

Researchers who quizzed 3,118 teenagers aged 17 and 18 found one third of those who responded had been a passenger with a driver who had consumed alcohol or was on drugs.

The study, by road safety charity Brake and an insurance company, is further evidence young people continue to gamble with their lives, and those of others, on the roads.

Government figures show, on average, three teenagers aged 17 or 18 are killed or seriously injured in vehicle crashes on UK roads every day.

A forthcoming Government paper is expected to suggest ministers consider an overhaul of driver training in a bid to cut the toll.

Jools Townsend, of Brake, said the charity's Too Young to Die campaign promotes life-saving messages to teenagers. He called on the Government to take action to tackle crashes involving young drivers.

He 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.

"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."

Auto Trader links

Summer drink driving worse than Christmas
Motorists risking lives for toilet breaks
Speed cameras miss half of speeders
Top cop says cars are biggest killer

Road safety interviews

We quiz UK's top roads boss
Auto Talk: Top Road Cop Meredith Hughes
Auto Talk: Safe Speed Campaigner Paul Smith

 





Page 1