Minimum Drinking Age

Words: 372
Pages: 2
Open Document
The minimum legal drinking age or MLDA in the United States is 21 and should not be lowered to a younger age because of the risk of more traffic injuries, the fact that alcohol interferes with the development of young brains and less people end up drinking alcohol when the legal drinking age is higher.

Reducing the MLDA in the United States from 21 to 18 will cause a higher rate of alcohol induced traffic injuries. For example, In a 2002 meta study found lower rates of traffic accidents when the drinking age was higher. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that when the drinking age is Twenty-One fatal motor vehicle crashes for 18 - 20 year olds decreased by 13% saving approximately 27,052 live
Show More

Related Documents: Minimum Drinking Age

Minimum Drinking Age

the most common preventable deaths in the United States. Because it is so preventable, the minimum drinking age should be 25 years old. Drinking results in a greater risk for physical and mental health, drunk driving is a massive issue in America, and people at the age of 21 have more important things that should be prioritized over the use of alcohol. Great risks to your health present themselves with drinking, and these risks only get more severe the earlier you start. Many diseases and conditions…

Words 1170 - Pages 5

Minimum Drinking Age

Minimum Drinking Age What is more important: saving lives or having fun? It is said in the article “Drinking Age is 21 for a Reason” that, “Teen drinking results in more than 4,700 deaths per year, which is more than all illegal drugs combined” That is 4,700 deaths that wouldn’t occur if teens were not drinking and driving. Some people believe that the minimum drinking age should be lowered because they think if teens have the right to vote and join the military at 18, then they should be able to…

Words 1662 - Pages 7

Minimum Drinking Age

Some people believe the United States minimum drinking age should remain at 21 instead of lowering it to 18. In 1984 Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, requiring states to raise their drinking age to 21 or they would lose 10% of their federal highway funding. This was done in an effort to help curb drunk driving deaths among teens in particular. According to Ryan Lessing, the number of teenagers killed in traffic accidents has declined drastically from 6,952 deaths in 1984 to…

Words 310 - Pages 2

Minimum Legal Drinking Age

MLDA, or the minimum legal drinking age, in America is set at twenty-one years old by the government. The government has reached this conclusion based on the number of fatal traffic accidents due to the driver actually driving under the influence. Because of a large number of fatal crashes happening with the majority of the drivers ages falling between sixteen to twenty years, the government then regulated the sale and consumption of alcohol to only individuals twenty-one years of age or older. The…

Words 372 - Pages 2

Minimum Legal Drinking Age

The debate of lowering of the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) controversy has been going on for decades in the United States. There have been arguments that the current MLDA is not efficient and counterproductive according to Rachel Engs. One study indicated that thousands of lives under the age of twenty-one are lost each year to alcohol (McCardell 1). Underage drinking is an issue that still persists despite evidence suggesting that the minimum legal drinking age of twenty-one has lowered alcohol…

Words 1318 - Pages 6

Minimum Drinking Age Essay

the U.S. Lower its Drinking Age? Among the policies and laws discussed on college campuses one that is rather popular to discuss is whether the U.S. should lower the legal drinking age. At one point in time the drinking age in most states was below 21. With the increase in traffic accidents, especially among young people, President Reagan signed the Highway Act of 1984 that said the federal government will take away highway money if the states do not raise their minimum age to 21. While many young…

Words 851 - Pages 4

Minimum Legal Drinking Age

Drinking Age One main issue in America today is whether or not young adults are responsible enough to handle alcohol. According to Wagenaar and Toomey, “MLDA, also known as the minimum legal drinking age is the most well-studied alcohol control policy and the United States.” Paglia comments, “Alcohol relaxes, eases interaction, inspires ideas and sponsors humor.” Should the legal drinking age be considered? The legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen because an individual is considered…

Words 1483 - Pages 6

Should Drinking Age Remain 21

The drinking age should remain 21 because lowering the drinking age would cause more danger to our youth and increasing the drinking age would bring down sales but also there will be many more cases of underage drinking. The drinking age has been questioned by many people, with the minimum drinking age being twenty one. Some think it should lowered while some think it should be raised. It is important to understand the logic and reasoning behind why there is controversy and indifference with the…

Words 1006 - Pages 5

Essay On Lowering The Legal Drinking Age

Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws specify the age of when a person can buy or publicly drink alcohol legally. In 1984, the minimum legal drinking age was raised to twenty-one. Many college students attend parties where alcohol is present. They should be allowed to consume the alcoholic beverages with their classmates without having to worry about getting in trouble. Eighteen year olds are adults and should be able to make their own decision on whether or not they want to drink. The legal age…

Words 1304 - Pages 6

Pros And Cons Of Drinking Age

Does an Age Really Matter? The legal age to drink and possess alcohol today is twenty-one but it has not always been that way. On July 17, 1984 The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 was passed. It mandated that every state be required to change their legal drinking age to twenty-one. Before the act under their own discretion every state could choose which age they allowed their citizens to drink. The twenty-sixth amendment, which lowered the legal voting age from twenty-one to eighteen caused…

Words 1134 - Pages 5