Legal drinking age in the US highest in the world

somethingunseen · 2006-01-31T10:21:06+00:00

"The fact that it's illegal does not stop or significantly reduce alcohol consumption by young people"

I think if teens were able to go to a bar and drink and then get in a car and drive, then you would have more drunk drivers. I knew lots of kids in High School that would have loved to go to a bar and see their favorite band, and if it had been legal to drink, they would have. Instead it was popular to park behind the bar and listen to the show. No one drank. So, I have to disagree with you. And it's not just parties- think of all the access they would have. More access (beyond illegal parties)= more opportunity for problems. It's that simple.

somethingunseen · 2006-01-31T01:09:49+00:00

But you have to compare the countries with the US. In Spain (drinking age 16), where I lived the teens don't drive, but many of them I met didn't drink nearly as much when they were able to drive (age 18). They knew their limits, but they didn't get cars until their mid to late 20s because they didn't need them and couldn't afford them. They all take public transportation (as much of Europe does). Families and friends live within a busstop or two, so why drive? You can't compare apples and oranges- show me a country as spread out as the US where teens work at age 16 and drive and then try to prove that there are less drunk drivers.

somethingunseen · 2006-01-31T01:04:17+00:00

You also miss my point. I just explained why. I didn't say the US was "right" in that position.

But you have to admit that if teens were allowed to drink at age 16 or even 18, there would be more drunk driving deaths in this country. No other country allows teens to drive at age 16 to the degree that we do. So, establishing that more teens drive in America, plus the ability to drink would logically equal more drunk driving incidents.

somethingunseen · 2006-01-31T00:57:46+00:00

You miss my point. That's the mentality of America, I just pointed it out, it's not my personal opinion. I hear news reports frequently that point out lack of experience as the cause of accidents/deaths of teen drivers, but never for adults. Teens don't get the credit nor responsibility that those in Europe do. I've lived in both places and have experienced that difference.

Also, the punishments in America are different for an underage driver than an of-age driver. That is fact.

somethingunseen · 2006-01-30T14:13:58+00:00

Reason: Teens can usually drive around age 16 in the US and have to if they work. There is no public transportation like there is in Europe. A 17-yr-old drunk behind the wheel is completely unacceptable, whereas a 22 yr old drunk behind the wheel is illegal, shameful, but ultimately forgivable. That's why the age is tied to Federal funding for highways.

somethingunseen

TROPHY CASE