Campaigners Call for Parent Penalties

Road safety campaigners are calling for parents who supply alcohol to underage drivers to be penalised if something goes wrong.

Clive Matthew-Wilson of the Dog and Lemon Guide was commenting after a serious weekend crash in Manukau at the hands of a drunk 16-year-old.

The boy's mother has admitted to regularly supplying him with alcohol.

Matthew-Wilson says if the mother had supplied her son with heroin or P she would be behind bars.

He says adults who knowingly supply alcohol to underage teens should share the legal responsibility for any crimes committed by the teenagers while under the influence.