The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Summary

Drunk driving seems to be a black spot of our civilization. An average of 17,000 individuals die each year in drunk driving related accidents, and drunk driving continues to be an enormously important public safety issue (MADD). With lowering this drinking age we can only expect more cases of drunk driving and more lives are put in danger. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that about 900 lives are saved annually due to fewer alcohol-related traffic crashes involving underage drivers. Surely, it should be a priority for the society to minimize the death toll from drunk driving.

Dean-Mooney emphasizes the public agrees that “72 percent of adults think that lowering the drinking age would make alcohol more accessible to kids”(Dean-Mooney 3). Another claim of the author it that lowering the drinking age would put more responsibility on the parents and educators. Additionally, she claims that lowering the drinking age would have dangerous long- term effects. Early adolescent drinkers are, “more susceptible to alcoholism”(Dean-Mooney 10). Overall the main argument of this essay is that the drinking age should stay the same because drunk driving crashes have lowered since the 21 law was enacted and young adults brains are still developing during this

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in 10 teens in high school drink and drive. This is a lot. The CDC also states that young drivers are 17 times more likely to die in a crash when they have a blood alcohol level of .08 or above compared to when they haven’t been drinking; however, there is still some good news. Teen drinking

They looked at the youth suicide rates of states with a MLDA of 18-20 and compared it to the youth suicide rates in states with a MLDA of 21 years old. After looking at the results of the time series of the different states, the results showed a large association between the legal drinking age and youth suicide. Between 1970 and 1990, states with a legal drinking age of 18-20 experienced an 8% higher rate of youth suicide than the states with a legal drinking age of 21. Based off of these results, it was concluded that lowering the minimum drinking age would increase the youth suicide rate, with their estimate of 125 more per year. (Birkmayer, 1999).

The article from Journal of Health Economics introduces the impact of minimum legal drinking age laws on alcohol consumption, smoking, and marijuana use. The abuse of alcohol is coming with healthy issue and some considerable spillover effects such as risky behavior, criminal activity, and alcohol related traffic injuries and fatalities.   The regulation on alcohol availability in the lower the minimum legal drinking age from 21. The opponents of the MLDA of 21 argue that the age limit encourages young adults under age 21 to consume alcohol in an irresponsible manner and that lowering age would help young adults to learn how to drink gradually, safely. Many studies have investigated the effect of the MLDA law on alcohol consumption.

As Levitt (2004) stated “those over the age of 65 experience victimization rates for serious violent crime that are less than one-tenth of those of teenagers” (p. 171) and since the young population got older, the crime followed in trend. Disagreements One of Levitt’s main four causes of the 1990s crime was the legalization of abortion in the 1970s. Levitt argued that unwanted children were at higher risk for crime and the legalization of abortion reduced the number of unwanted children. His hypothesis was brought about because “the five states that allowed abortion in 1970… experienced declines in crime rates earlier than the rest of the country”

However, if representatives were to look closely then it would realize that lowering the drinking age would be an extremely huge contribution towards their effort of getting rid of financial problems. According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, underage drinking accounts for about 17.5 percent of consumer spending in the U.S. That would be about 22.5 billion dollars per year. It would make sense to view that already as a huge amount of money for our economy but if more people were to be allowed to purchase alcohol then it would only boost the revenue even more. Keep in mind that places such as bars, restaurants, and other establishments would also be able to make more profit from the increase in alcohol consumption which would most certainly boost the tax revenue as

A poll taken on July 2014 asked the public opinion of US adults for lowering the US legal drinking age from 21 to 18. Approximately 74% of the people opposed the idea, whereas roughly 25% of the people supported the idea ("Public Opinion" 1). The statistics indicate satisfaction among the majority of the people; however, with the current laws many issues arise that must be addressed concerning alcohol use. For starters, studies show an increase of dangerous drinking habits among young adults (Hall 2). In addition, the enforcement of the drinking laws and education on alcohol is insubstantial (Moyse, Fonder 3).

Even though motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds, the minimum driving age should not be raised. Driving restrictions placed on young drivers only delay fatal crashes, and studies show that recklessness is not the cause for most teen collisions; it is simple mistakes. When teens begin driving, they enter the graduated licensing program that imposes certain restrictions which lessen as the drivers become older and more experienced. A nationwide study shows that these laws have reduced fatal crashes amongst 16-year olds but increased fatalities amongst 18-year olds.

Over the past 21 years an increasing number of restrictions have been set on teenage drivers, such as bans on night-time driving, limitations on who can ride with them, and the requirement of a leaners permit. (Source 2) These restrictions have decreased the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes by 20% between the ages on 15 and 20. (Table 1) Therefore, teen drivers have been getting safer

Advocates and supporters of lowering the MLDA 21 to 18 allows young adults the right to make decisions about the consumption of alcohol. As the age of 18 entails an individual to legally become a young adult, receiving the “[rights] and responsibilities [required] to vote… and purchase cigarettes…” (Chiappetta), being prosecuted and tried as an adult, serve on juries, getting married, and drafting to the military – in which dangers the lives of themselves and others surrounding them. As lowering the MLDA from 21 to 18 will lessen the excitement to break the law for consuming alcohol finding the balance between moderation and consumption will become less taboo for workforce individuals and incoming university students. While allowing the consumption of alcohol in regulated and licensed environments and establishments as opposed to unsupervised house parties or fraternity houses “decreases the likelihood of danger and [controversial] actions” (McCardell). Advocates and adversaries of lowering the MLDA 21 both establish the safety of individuals who consume alcohol is always top priority.