Lowering Legal Drinking Age

Introduction

Drivers younger than 21 are more vulnerable than older drivers to the impairing effects of alcohol. At the same blood alcohol concentration (BAC), young drivers are far more likely to get into fatal or non-fatal crashes ([Zador et al., 2000] and [Peck et al., 2008]). Since July 1988, all U.S. states and the District of Columbia have had laws that require people to be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol. In contrast, minimum legal drinking ages are 16-18 in most European counties, 18-19 in Canada, and 18 in Australia and New Zealand.

All U.S. states and the District of Columbia also have “zero tolerance” laws that prohibit people younger than 21 from driving after drinking. Typically, these laws prohibit driving with a BAC of 0.02% or greater. The zero tolerance and minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws are the primary legal countermeasures against underage drinking and driving in the United States.

Discussion

There is a preponderance of evidence showing that MLDAs of 21 have been an effective deterrent to underage drinking and driving in the United States and have substantially reduced alcohol-related crashes among young drivers. Despite this evidence, a recent movement to lower the drinking age appears to have gained some traction (e.g., [Flores, 2008], [Flynn, 2007], [Huppke, 2008] and [Sack, 2008]). Prior studies have conducted in-depth critical reviews of research on the effects of MLDAs on traffic crashes or alcohol consumption (e.g., [Shults et al., 2001] and [Wagenaar and Toomey, 2002]).

The phrase "legal drinking age" wrongly suggests there is a federal law dictating the age limit country-wide. In reality, states are free to set their own age limit - well, free in theory at least. Every state has agreed to set the legal age at 21 because Congress passed a law in 1984 that withholds 10 percent of highway funds from states that set a lower limit. With that threat looming, 49 states had complied by 1988, with Louisiana joining after years of court battles.

In recent months, supporters in a number of states have pushed ballot initiatives to lower the drinking age. Legislation introduced in Kentucky, Wisconsin, and South Carolina would lower the drinking age for military personnel only. An initiative in Missouri would apply to everyone 18 and older, while an initiative in South Dakota would allow all 19- and 20-year-olds to buy low-alcohol beer. A Minnesota bill would allow anyone 18 or older to buy alcohol in bars or restaurants, but not in liquor stores. With states considering all of these options, what are the arguments for and against lowering the drinking age?

Arguments in Favor of Lowering the Drinking Age

The United States has the highest legal drinking age in the world. Most countries allow people to drink at 16 or 18 years of age. Others, like China, Portugal, and Vietnam, have no minimum drinking age at all.

Legislators argue that men and women who are old enough to vote, get married, adopt children, purchase firearms, and defend our country can be trusted to drink ...