Commentary: Drinking age of 21 saves lives

[47of74]

Not too long ago CNN put an editorial up about how the drinking age should be lowered. Not surprisingly the no alcohol until 11:59:59pm on the day prior to the 21st birthday crowd has given their response.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/29/nelson.retain.drinking.age/index.html

(CNN) - The national policy that set a minimum legal drinking age of 21 is being questioned by a group of 135 college and university presidents through an effort called the Amethyst Initiative.

In a September 16 commentary on CNN.com, Amethyst Initiative leader John McCardell, a former president of Middlebury College, proposes lowering the drinking age, which he suggests will lead to less drinking and related problems among college students.

History and a comprehensive review of the research tell a much different story. The evidence is clear, consistent and compelling: A drinking age of 21 has led to less drinking, fewer injuries and fewer deaths.

I don't know about anyone else, but based on his photo the author gives me the creeps.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Because nothing else happened in the years since the drinking age was raised

No safety improvements on cars, no increased enforcement of DUI laws, nothing else except the drinking age was raised. :eyes:

Flawed logic a 5 year old can see through.

[Traveling_Home]

2. Lower the drinking age to 18; raise the driving age to 25 ;-)

[eallen]

4. That would save many more lives.

[47of74]

5. And cap the driving age at 49

With the heart stopping stuff I've seen some older drivers do there are days when I could go for that.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. Raise the age to 150. That will be even better.

[AusDem]

6. actually you've all got it wrong

The state of Victoria in Australia has some of the lowest traffic deaths in the world due to innovative policing, seatbelt enforcement, targeted ad campaigns and a great state government funded Transport Accident Commission.

For a state of approximately 6 million people (not sure how many cars exactly, but it would be fairly high) we've managed to reduce our road toll to around 300.

The drinking age here has been 18 yo for a long time.

Kids are going to drink anyway, may as well be legally and save the cops the effort. Though I suppose there may be some sort of effect, because law enforcement may not be in the same position to cope with drunk drivers as they are here, plus culturally, Aussies have had it beaten into us for years "if you drink and drive, you're a bloody idiot".

[47of74]

7. The author of the article acted like he was entitled to his own set of facts

And ignored those facts that didn't fit his viewpoint, or made stuff up.

[DumpDavisHogg]

8. The photo of the author is creepy

He looks like the guy in the Twisted Sister video who yelled, "What do you want to do with your life!" Except his mouth looks like it was expanded to 3 times its normal size.

[47of74]

9. That's what got my attention

Was this creepy little goodie two shoes smile of his.