Teenage drink-drivers a ‘deadly combination’

One in five teenagers has driven after drinking alcohol and one in 14 has driven after taking drugs, a new survey claims.

The research was carried out by Break, a road safety charity, in conjunction with a leading car insurance provider, Cooperative Insurance.

It has prompted calls for immediate action to lower the drink drive limit for all drivers from the current 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg per 100ml of blood. This would bring the UK in line with EU recommendations.

Campaigners have also called for changes to driver testing, training and licensing.

“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,” Jools Townsend, head of education at Charity Brake, told the BBC.

Government figures reported by the BBC show that, on average, more than three people aged 17 or 18 are killed or badly injured in car crashes every day.

Car insurance premiums for teenage drivers have traditionally been high because of the significant likelihood of young motorists making claims.

Tags: survey claims.The research, Road safety, Disaster Accident, line, drug, car crashes

The dangers of cycling

The Tour de France is set to kick-off in London on July 7th and that means cyclists will be out in force across the UK.

A major event such as this is likely to attract thousands of bikers to the roads but Cornhill Direct warns that many may not have adequate insurance.

The firm says that a number of people are putting themselves and others in danger by failing to ride their bikes properly and within the confines of the law.

Almost half of cyclists admit that they regularly ride on the pavement, despite the fact that it is illegal, while 14 per cent do not indicate when turning and 20 per cent regularly jump red lights.

All of this makes for a dangerous ride and 69 per cent of riders have fallen off their bike at some point, with 14 per cent being knocked off by another vehicle.

“Cycling is hugely popular in the UK and riders would be wise to make sure they have the right insurance cover,” said Mark Bishop from Cornhill Direct.

“If a cyclist were to injure someone they could face a bill of tens of thousands of pounds and if they were injured and unable to work it could cause them and their family real financial problems.

“While cycling can be great fun and good for you, it also carries risks and there is no excuse for riding recklessly and many cyclists admit to doing just that,” he added.

Tags: adequate insurance, Recreation, cent, fact, london, someone, bikes, Cornhill