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Breaking the law is crazy! Lets do it! Teenage kids will say this about drinking and
driving. This and many other facts raise a question, the question, of the century. Should the
drinking age be lowered? Yes is the answer, and there are many reasons why. The drinking age
should be lowered because its not the persons age that matters, its their maturity.
First of all, the U.S. drinking age is very high compared to most countries. Of all the
countries, the U.S. is one out of only seven countries with a minimum drinking age so high
standing at 21. Those countries are not countries that we have ever shared philosophy with either.
Even with the high drinking age, there are exceptions to this law throughout our country.
Exceptions like family and location allow some people younger than 21 drink. Out of all 50
states, only 14 have no exceptions. We should just lower the drinking age to make things less
complicated. Another point to back up this opinion is the famous age of 18. At the age of 18, a
person is considered an adult. They have all the same rights as 21 year olds, including being able
to go into war. Why let someone fight for our country but not allow them the same rights as 21
year old adults? All of them are adults. Besides, there is no drinking age in the army. Take voting
for example. It affects our whole country, not just them! Eighteen is a legitimate age for both
adulthood, voting, and even smoking, yet Eighteen year olds cant choose what to drink and
when?
Secondly, drinking and driving is a conscious choice just like getting plastic surgery or
hair plugs. Founder of the National Institute for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse admitted that
supporting a higher drinking age is, the most regrettable decision of my professional career.
Economic advantages are also an important piece of evidence in this debate. Financial
advantages can be used for a good cause because every bit of money can be used for alcohol
awareness.
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Also, the current legal drinking age is extremely ineffective. In the past, people didnt
care who drank what and when they drank it, nor did we have the safety that we have today or
large publicity statements. Today, cars are much safer for drivers and others outside the car who
could be harmed. Plus, despite the law, underage drunk driving still goes on, and if everyone
knew that, this wouldnt have to be an argument. Drunk driving fatalities are much lower than in
1982 because people are taking drunk driving more seriously.
Finally, many people agree that the drinking age should be lowered. Young people
believe that it is unfair. Often, teens might think its thrilling to be able to break the law.
Lowering the drinking age will diminish the thrill of breaking the law; therefor, causing less
accidents caused by underage drinking and driving. Alcohol is mainly used for celebrating, and
since its illegal, people tend to go overboard. When a young person gets hold of alcohol
illegally, they then decide they have to drink all of it to the point of getting drunk, not knowing
when the next opportunity to drink will come along. Sixteen to 18 year olds may want to
celebrate prom, first car, first apartment, graduation, getting into college, and the list goes on and
on, and they do so illegally. While some people believe that underage drinking and driving
connects with teenage suicide, evidence tells that it doesnt.
Commonly, people believe that the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21 is saving
lives. However, it doesnt. CBS News reported: Last fall, a group of over 100 college presidents
- including the heads of Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke - signed a declaration stating that the
21-year-old drinking age is not working. Two teenage girls were just killed in an underage
drunk driving accident. Besides, when it comes to drinking and driving accidents, the most
reported ones are newly legal drinkers; 21 year olds. If we lower the legal drinking age, there
will still be newly legal drinkers, but that is not the problem causing underage drinking and
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driving accidents. Its the whole thrilling law breaking scenario (as mentioned earlier). Because
more people are beginning to take notice to the underage drinking and driving problems, it
appears that the drinking age is working. People are building college communities for underage
drinking and driving accidents. There should be some kind of responsibility test to tell whether
the teenager is responsible enough to be trusted not to drink and drive. Ha! That is a solution
right there.
Many people would never guess that lowering the drinking age would decrease underage
drinking and driving accidents and fatalities. Despite the thought, there are many good reasons.
On the other hand, some people believe that lowering the drinking age would take underage
drinking and driving accidents out of control and that the current drinking age is working well.
These people are wrong. Lower the drinking age, lower the accidents.

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ProCon.org. "Drinking Age ProCon.org." ProCon.org. 18 Dec. 2013. Web. 5 Jan. 2014.
CBSnews.com. The Debate On Lowering The Drinking Age. cbsnews.com 60minutes,
Producer Ruth Streeter, Feb. 19, 2009
McCardell, John M. "The Drinking Age Should Be Lowered." Teen Drug Abuse. David
E. Nelson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from
"Commentary: Drinking Age of 21 Doesn't Work." CNN.com. 2009. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Jan. 2014.
Minton, Michelle. "The Legal Drinking Age Has Not Been Effective." Should the Legal
Drinking
Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt.
From "Lower the Drinking Age for Everyone." National Review (20 Apr. 2011).
Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Jan. 2014.