One in five teenage drivers has been over the alcohol limit

A fifth of teenage drivers have admitted drink-driving. And a third say they have been passengers in a car whose driver was drunk or on drugs.

The findings of a study involving more than 3,000 17 and 18-year-olds will fuel demands for a rise in the driving age, the road safety charity Brake said.

Official figures show three youngsters in the age group are killed or seriously injured in crashes every day.

A Government paper to be published in the next few months is expected to suggest an overhaul of driver training in an attempt to cut the toll.

This would back the Daily Mail's campaign to raise the minimum driving age from 17 to 18.

The move is also supported by the insurance industry and motoring groups such as the RAC.

Jools Townsend of Brake, which carried out the survey with Co-operative Insurance, called on ministers to take urgent action to tackle crashes involving young drivers.

He said: "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.

"We are demanding the Government starts an overhaul of driver testing and introduces graduated licensing, which has been highly effective in cutting casualties in other countries.

"We also need compulsory road safety education in schools."

Co-operative Insurance's David Neave said: "Too many young drivers are risking their lives and the lives of others by driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

"More needs to be done to educate young drivers on the horrific consequences this can have on people's lives."