Why is drinking age 21 in US but you can drive at 15?

Question

I thought US want people to be responsible to drink but is a 15 year old responsible with a possible killing machine?

PS. I'm 24yrs old and from Ireland (pub culture) so I've been drinking for 8ish years (it's Ireland). When you turn the age of an adult (18) you get the responsibilies with it and the choices that go with it (driving, drinking, smoking, voting, army, legally sign a contract,...)
Just an observation.

Answer 1

hmmm lets c is us law screwed up? - that wud b a yes

Answer 2

Depending on which state you live in, you get your license either at 16 or 18. It depends on the state. But the legal drinking age is 21, because while you may be a young driver with a potential "killing machine" you are too immature to start drinking alcohol before 21. Most of the time even 21 year olds are too immature to drink. At least when you're 21, you make better decisions because you're an adult. Not to say no one drinks and drives, because they still do. But, I'd rather they have about 6 years driving experience before they have drinking experience. It just makes sense to me.

Answer 3

Not so much an answer, but a comment:

Teens, in my state at least, in order to get a license when they are 16, have to undergo a drivers education course or else wait until they turn 18. I don't know of anywhere that offers similar training and education in alcohol use. I do think that 21 is going that little bit too far, and that if one can smoke tobacco, buy pornography, or serve in the military, then they should also be able to imbibe.

Answer 4

I am not from the US and I have never lived there. I have lived in different European countries and saw the age limits they have both for drinking and driving. I have came to one simple conclusion.

Driving can be easily policed and regulated since you have to use the public roads. In other words it is easy to keep an eye on you and even revoke your license. Drinking is not easily policed. It is really easy to get a drink and drink it home so they just make it harder to access it.

In all these countries I have been, I also saw different mentalities of drinking and in each case different age limits. In other countries a minor can not drink alcohol unless is supervised by his/her gurdian. The general rule is that in countries with big problems of alcoholism and many heavy drinkers the age limit is high (mostly North European). In countries that there are not many heavy drinkers the limit was very low to none.

I do not believe in forbidding things and in many cases I think they do not have the best results. I can give an example from Greece. Greece does not have an age limit for alcohol. The Greeks are casual drinkers and consume alcohol in substantial quantities but they do not get drunk. On the other hand teenage tourists in Greece, coming from countries with high age limits, drink enormous amounts of alcohol taking advantage that there is no age limit. Many hospitals on islands, during summer, hire extra staff to treat drunk people.

I can not say what is the situation in the US but this is what happens in Europe. Also the beliefs of people and country's customs make a big difference on age limits. One last thing, the age limit for driving in Europe and in the EU is 18 years of age.

Answer 5

I've always thought that was odd? I guess that because the USA is so big transport is a minor thing that is like a chore, so a driving licence seems compulsory and not a privilege.
But on the other hand they might need to get the 14 year old wife to the hospital to have a baby.

Answer 6

In Canada you have to be 19 to drink, 16 to drive and 18 to vote. Why does the government believe you are mature enough at 18 to vote but you aren't mature enough at 18 or in your case 20 to drink. It is ridiculous. If they were smart they would want us good and drunk to vote.

Answer 7

actually, the legal driving age is 16 in most states. And I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's easier to responsibly operate a vehicle than it is to responsibly drink.

Answer 8

Even at 21, most people are not responsible drinkers.
And at 15-16 kids CAN be responsible behind the wheel.

Answer 9

It is to encourage America's youth to get into other drugs like hash, cocaine, speed, esctacy, crack and crystal meth. Its illegal to drink alcohol, so.. can't go to the pub/bar.

Instead hang out with gang members who will sell you beer and other aforementioned substances. Also means that when they finally are allowed to buy alcohol they really go off the rails like George Bush did... And just look what he became! All parents to aspire for such things for their children.

Answer 10

in what state can you drive at 15, cuz in ny you cant get a drivers license till 18

Answer 11

You can join the army and be given a gun to kill at 18. I guess that can give anybody a cheap thrill!