MADD was supported by those individuals who had suffered the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver and wanted a safer future. The goal of the program initially was to lower drunk driving traffic deaths and because of this organization there has been a high number of people that disapprove of others that drive while intoxicated. There is a dramatic drop in alcohol related deaths much due to the efforts of the MADD organization (Canada Safety Council 2003). The most significant problem in lowering drunk driving deaths consists of the most drastic alcoholic drivers who continuously drive with high concentration of alcohol in their blood stream. A Social Problem In America alone people take about two hundred and thirty three trips in cars each year, of all these, one out of two thousand of these trips are being taken by drunk or drugged individuals.
It seems quite plausible that were alcohol to be illegal for those under the age of 18, the 15.1% of 18 to 20 year olds who drink before getting behind the wheel would decrease significantly. The fatalities caused by drinking and driving would be likely to fall as well. There are so many other things a person could be doing and spending their money on then something as pointless and inconsequential as
“Mothers Against Drunk Driving claim the higher drinking age is responsible for a decline in annual alcohol-related deaths, from 26,173 in 1982 to 16,885 in 2005...” (Boston University, 2013). Although this decline is also related to other factors, such as safer vehicles and highway design, it undoubtedly accounts for most of
Of course the states immediately changed the legal age back to twenty-one, had the age not been changed the state would have lost a considerable amount of highway funding. There are actually many legislative people that would rather the legal drinking age be eighteen years old, but these people choose to stay quiet because of the consequences of having the highway funds taken
In the 1960’s and 1970’s when many states had lowered the MLDA, besides the rise in drunk-driving deaths, studies showed that people raised from childhood in under-21 states were involved in higher rates of alcohol and drug use as adults, and had a higher rate of homicides and suicides. (Moses, 2011) This in turn convinced federal law makers to raise the MLDA again to 21. However, in order to encourage states to comply, the federal government would tighten their purse strings and states would receive little or no funding towards highways. So while there are those who do not necessarily care one way or the other about the actual age limit on alcohol consumption, they do prefer having the federal
If the police were doing their job properly, the figures should be decreasing not increasing. They would not be seizing more illegal stills than before. Despite the consequences, Americans enjoyed drinking and were willing to take the risk of arrest to carry on doing something they had previously done with no punishment. The number of people breaking the law made it increasingly difficult for the police to do their job effectively and catch the law-breakers. The figures in both
There's all kinds of ways for them to trick you or get around certain situations so that they can bust you for drinking. Most of time officers aren't allowed to enter a house unless a doors open or the owner of the house lets them in. To stop the drinking and driving the cops are more strict and will take you to jail if your under the influence while driving. I think if the drinking age was lowered the problems with under age drinking would not be nearly as high as they are now because of the age being 21. This solution could help solve the problems to stopping drinking and under age kids driving under the influence.
Is the Drinking Age at the Correct Age? There is much argument over whether the drinking age should be lowered to 18 from 21. There have been disputes over alcohol ever since it has been discovered and this is a big one all over the United States. However, the big argument is whether or not 18 year old kids are old enough to consume alcohol responsibly. There are plenty of arguments on both sides because of the severity of under aged drinking in the United States.
In other words, simply because drinking and driving rates are not particularly high in Europe among late teens does not mean this trend would continue in the U.S. Additionally, for those who feel that those who enlist in the military should drink legally, one might counter that the context is different. Sure, at first glance, picking up a bottle seems less harmful than picking up a gun. Keep in mind, though, that the military allows such behavior under extreme supervision and in a highly targeted fashion, not to mention going under extensive training, where you get a very different experience than allowing a young adult to drink a bottle of alcohol. Yes they can go to war, and they can vote, but that doesn’t mean they are ready to drink. Letting younger people drink is giving immature citizens more of the ability to make bad decisions that not only affect themselves but can also be very harmful to others.
We cannot legally purchase a handgun, gamble in a casino, or adopt a child until the age of twenty one. These are a high level of responsibility and our leaders and patrons feel they are at equal levels. Our Minimum Legal Drinking Age has reduced traffic accidents and fatalities. 100 of 102 analyses inquired in a 202 meta-study found that a higher legal drinking age associates with lower rates of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated a 13% decrease in car fatalities in 1975-2008 saving approximately 27,052 lives since then.