Drinking age linked to teen crashes 

As fatalities during the festive season soar to an alarming high, a new study has revealed teenage car accidents have increased dramatically since the drinking age was lowered.

A report published in the January 2006 issue of the American Journal of Public Health says significantly more alcohol-involved crashes among 15-19 year olds have occurred since the drinking age was lowered to 18 in 1999.

The research found that crash rates increased by 12% for men aged 18-19 and 14% for 15-17 year olds.

Among young women, there was a 51% rise in crashes among 18 to19 year olds and a 24% rise for those aged 15-17.

The research was conducted jointly by the University of Otago, the University of Newcastle in Australia and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton in the US.

The Transport Safety Minister says a range of measures need to be looked at to curb teenage car crashes. Harry Duynhoven says parliament should consider seriously a members bill proposing the drinking age be raised to 20 again.

But he says that's not the only factor in increased teen car crashes. Duynhoven says drivers start out young, can buy cheap used cars and are not required to have professional driving tuition.

A lobby group says the new research adds weight to its call to raise the drinking age. Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams says she supports returning the drinking age to 20 but says other methods of tackling the problem are also needed, such as raising the tax on alcohol.

She says the advertising of alcohol also needs to be closely scrutinised.

The Beer Wine and Spirits Council says simply raising the drinking age won't stop teenagers crashing cars. Chief executive Nicki Stewart says it's too easy to blame the purchasing age and there are lots of reasons why more teens are involved in crashes, including access to fast cars.

She says the drink-drive message has been successful, but the country still needs to find a way to get through to young drivers.