Essay On Legal Drinking Age

What Should the Legal Drinking Age Really Be? Throughout the years in American history, alcohol has always been debated. It has been debated on whether or not to even allow its consumption in the United States, and what age is appropriate for Americans to start drinking alcohol. Many people believe that one is not mature enough to handle alcohol at any age below twenty-one, because they will abuse it. This leads them to believe that the current legal drinking age should stay at twenty-one. However, this is a misconception in many ways. One reason is, that legitimate reports show the surprising comparison of accidents induced by drunk driving. Another reason is, that since an individual is already considered an adult at age eighteen, and can do many other “grown up” duties, they should be allowed to consume alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the United States reported that in 30% of fatal automobile crashes, the driver had a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher. Meanwhile,
the blood alcohol content of .08 is considered the legal limit for which a driver can drive under alcohol consumption, as stated by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. When looking at other countries’ statistics on the reports provided by the NHTSA, they had a far lower rate of accidents related to alcohol involvement, and a significantly lower rate of blood alcohol content in the fatal accidents which were connected with alcohol. This is seen in the United Kingdom, with only 19% of motor vehicles at .08 or higher, Austria at 8.5% at .05 or higher, and France at 19% at the same limit. This evidence shows that, even though the United States has an older legal drinking age at twenty-one, numerous other countries with legal drinking ages at eighteen had fewer deadly accidents caused by drunk driving. This is a valid reason to suggest that age does not play a vital role in alcohol abuse. Another significant reason the age to legally drink should be at eighteen, is that when an individual becomes eighteen, they already can assume the role of an adult. The Law Dictionary states, that once one turns eighteen in America, they can enter into contracts that are legally binding, legally get married, buy stocks, purchase real estate, serve in the military, vote in legal elections, complete jury duty, and much more. It is completely irrational to be able to carry out a multitude of these responsibilities, but not be able to drink alcohol until twenty-one. These previous facts suggest that maturity, responsibility, and misuse are not directly related to drinking. It is evident that the legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen.
This is clear because of reports showing less fatal drunk driving accidents in other nations with the legal age at eighteen. Reports showed that less accidents related to alcohol occurred in countries that had the drinking age set at eighteen. The fact that the legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen is also further proven, because of the responsibilities one already receives after turning eighteen. If they can carry out, and be responsible for numerous legal responsibilities at that age, it should be only evident that an individual can drink alcohol. Abuse of alcohol does not depend on the age as seen. The use or abuse of Alcohol depends all upon the individual drinking. The matter of age is not proven to be the primary factor of misuse. These statements can all lead up to the clear view that the legal drinking age in America should undeniably be the age of
eighteen.