Too many vehical accidents are alcohol related, how do we fix this problem? Can this problem be fixed, or is it something parents and young adults have to do on there own?
2006-06-22 19:11:03 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The Legal age of 21 is good.
ALL PEOPLE need to take responsibility for their own actions. If you are 21+, you can go out, drink legally, have fun and safely drive home. Military personnel can drink at 18, on the base.
I'm sure some 14yr olds could drive safely after a few drinks, but that doesn't mean we should lower the drinking age and driving age. I've actually witnessed some 34yr olds, who can't drive after a few drinks. Should it raised to 35 or worse, illegal to drink after the age of 33? There will always be people under the age of 21, that find a way to get alcohol, but it's not OK. If you get caught, you get in trouble. If you're driving over the legal limit, you will get in big trouble and could serious hurt or kill people. Don't ruin someone elses good time.
It's OK to drink, just know your limit and be responsible. Call a friend/cab, take the bus or sleep in your car until you sober up.
2006-06-23 01:08:22 · answer #1 · answered by askthetoughquestions 3 · 8⤊ 5⤋
You see this come up a lot lately around here...
There's no reason to adjust it in my opinion. Lowering it encourages the acceptance in society and impacts culture. Also, it makes it easier for even younger teens to get their hands on it. Leaving it at 21 keeps it 5 years higher than the driving age. A 5-year buffer seems like a good fit. 16-year olds have enough on their plate. You don't want to give the high-school seniors the ability or encouragement to buy for freshmen and sophomores.
Raising it would not be a popular move either and won't likely change much except increase the number of offenses reported for under-age consumption.
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Melindalcook (below),
I respectfully disagree. That's the most common argument made, but here's the flaw. There are less than 75,000 18-year olds in this country listed in a branch of the military that could see combat. While it's still a respectable number, it's nowhere near the majority that we have in this country.
Lowering the drinking age would impact millions of 18-year olds, as well as put more of our younger teens at risk. Most 18-year olds don't have problems getting alcohol if they want to drink. At the same time, it's not as easy as going around the corner to pick up a pack of smokes. Therefore, they are going to be reluctant to go through the trouble for a younger underclassman (i.e. Sophomores in HS)
Making it legal for them to buy alcohol makes it much, much easier for a 16-year old to nag them for it, and ultimately get it. It's like the speed limit. When it was 55, you would expect to see quite a bit of speeding at 65-70. When it was raised to 65, people started casually going 75-80. It's the same concept here with lowering the drinking age.
Why put millions more at risk over a weak concept of what is "unfair" to a select few?
2006-06-23 02:16:23 · answer #2 · answered by SirCharles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Needs to be higher so College students won't get drunk and have parties. Lower legal blood alcohol percentage.
2006-06-23 02:15:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If 18 is old enough to go to war and die for our country...then it should be old enough to have a beer.
2006-06-23 02:35:27 · answer #4 · answered by melinda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly? no matter what age it is, people who are underage are still going to get it. it's not about the age, it's about the enforcement.
2006-06-23 13:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by thunderwear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋