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UK Government Explores Zero Alcohol Limit for Young Drivers

February 17, 2025February 19, 2025By WRD News Team
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he UK Government is considering a zero alcohol limit for young drivers, according to Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood. This proposal aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries among 17–24-year-olds. This age group remains involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to prevent tragedies and improve road safety for all travellers. Current Drink-Drive Limits The current drink-drive limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. This is the highest limit in Europe. Lilian Greenwood highlighted how the UK could learn from international practices. “Many countries already set lower or zero alcohol limits for young drivers or require minimum learning periods,” she said. France, Germany, and Ireland already impose stricter drink-drive limits for young or newly qualified drivers. Scotland took action in 2014, reducing its limit to 50mg. These examples suggest stricter rules can help save lives. Why a Zero Alcohol Limit Is Needed The Department for Transport (DfT) is studying international data on road safety. Evidence shows zero alcohol policies and extended learning periods are effective in preventing crashes. Brake, a road safety charity, stresses the risks of any alcohol in a driver's system. Their research shows drivers with blood alcohol levels between 50–80mg are six times more likely to cause fatal crashes than sober drivers. Other Safety Measures Alongside the zero alcohol limit, other road safety measures are under review. These include hazard perception training, logbook tracking, mentoring, and telematics to monitor driving behaviour. However, Greenwood ruled out introducing graduated driving licences (GDL). Used in countries such as the US and Australia, GDL puts temporary restrictions on new drivers. “While we are not considering GDLs, we fully recognise young drivers are at greater risk of tragic accidents,” Greenwood said. “We are exploring better options to target these risks without placing unfair restrictions on young people.” Evidence-Based Reform Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation noted the value of basing reforms on evidence. “If data shows a zero alcohol limit reduces risks for young drivers, it’s worth adopting,” he said. The focus remains on finding practical solutions to reduce road fatalities while encouraging safer driving. Creating Safer Roads Transport Minister Greenwood highlighted the Government's dedication to road safety. Their forthcoming road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, will focus on reducing risks for all road users. The zero alcohol limit for young drivers is one of the key proposals in this strategy. This measure aims to save lives, prevent tragedies, and promote accountability on UK roads.

he UK Government is considering a zero alcohol limit for young drivers, according to Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood. This proposal aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries among 17–24-year-olds. This age group remains involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to prevent tragedies and improve road safety for all travellers.

Current Drink-Drive Limits

The current drink-drive limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. This is the highest limit in Europe. Lilian Greenwood highlighted how the UK could learn from international practices. “Many countries already set lower or zero alcohol limits for young drivers or require minimum learning periods,” she said.

France, Germany, and Ireland already impose stricter drink-drive limits for young or newly qualified drivers. Scotland took action in 2014, reducing its limit to 50mg. These examples suggest stricter rules can help save lives.

Why a Zero Alcohol Limit Is Needed

The Department for Transport (DfT) is studying international data on road safety. Evidence shows zero alcohol policies and extended learning periods are effective in preventing crashes. Brake, a road safety charity, stresses the risks of any alcohol in a driver’s system. Their research shows drivers with blood alcohol levels between 50–80mg are six times more likely to cause fatal crashes than sober drivers.

Other Safety Measures

Alongside the zero alcohol limit, other road safety measures are under review. These include hazard perception training, logbook tracking, mentoring, and telematics to monitor driving behaviour. However, Greenwood ruled out introducing graduated driving licences (GDL). Used in countries such as the US and Australia, GDL puts temporary restrictions on new drivers.

“While we are not considering GDLs, we fully recognise young drivers are at greater risk of tragic accidents,” Greenwood said. “We are exploring better options to target these risks without placing unfair restrictions on young people.”

Evidence-Based Reform

Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation noted the value of basing reforms on evidence. “If data shows a zero alcohol limit reduces risks for young drivers, it’s worth adopting,” he said. The focus remains on finding practical solutions to reduce road fatalities while encouraging safer driving.

Creating Safer Roads

Transport Minister Greenwood highlighted the Government’s dedication to road safety. Their forthcoming road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, will focus on reducing risks for all road users. The zero alcohol limit for young drivers is one of the key proposals in this strategy. This measure aims to save lives, prevent tragedies, and promote accountability on UK roads.

Source: The Standard

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