Call for zero alcohol limit for North's teen drivers

A zero alcohol limit should be introduced for inexperienced drivers in the North, an Assembly member insisted today.

The DUP's Alastair Ross made the call after a top medical expert recommended the hardline approach to drink driving for those under 20 in England.

The country's chief medical officer Liam Donaldson said the move would help to improve safety on England's roads.

Mr Ross has urged Stormont Environment minister Sammy Foster to consider similar measures in the North.

The current legal blood alcohol limit is 80 microgrammes.

The East Antrim Assembly member is pressing for the introduction of a Graduated Driving License (GDL) scheme in region to ensure young and inexperienced drivers are better prepared for the roads.

Mr Ross said if a total alcohol ban on new drivers was shown to reduce casualty figures then the Assembly should then consider zero tolerance measures for all motorists.

"Northern Ireland has an unacceptably high number of road deaths and serious road accidents when compared to other regions of the UK," he said.

"It is therefore of paramount importance that we take practical steps that will have a positive impact on reducing road deaths and serious accidents.

"A graduated licensing scheme for Northern Ireland could see the introduction of a statutory minimum period of supervised learning, a total ban on alcohol consumption when driving and additional restrictions on novice drivers in relation to driving at night or carrying teenage passengers.

"Whilst I accept that some of the measures may not be popular with less experienced drivers any steps that will reduce the carnage on our roads and save lives must be given detailed consideration."