VAB: ‘Eight in ten youngsters in favor of total alcohol ban when driving’

Eight out of ten young people in Flanders are in favor of zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel. Almost 17% do not support such a proposal. That is what a survey by mobility organization VAB revealed.

Earlier this month, the European Commission proposed a total alcohol ban for new drivers. Novice drivers should not drink alcohol while driving for the first two years after obtaining their driver’s license. The proposal is part of a package of measures to improve road safety throughout the European Union.

Alcohol ban

As a result of this proposal, VAB interviewed 1 634 people between 17 and 30 years old. More than half of the respondents (57,5%) say to be in favor of a complete alcohol ban. Furthermore, about one-quarter (26,1%) agree with an alcohol ban only for drivers who have had a driver’s license for less than three years.

“This means that 83,6% are in favor of zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel,” VAB concludes. On the other hand, the survey still shows that almost 17% (16,4% to be precise), or one in six young people, do not want such a zero tolerance. “That is still too much, so it is clear that we must continue to work on this,” says Peter Landsheere, VAB’s driving school director.

Five times higher risk

In general, 0,2 grams of alcohol per liter of blood is enough to affect your driving. The risk of a severe accident is also more than five times higher, with a blood alcohol level above 0,8 g/l. Drivers under the age of 30 are involved in two out of five fatal accidents in Europe, although they only represent 8% of all drivers.