Experts are in Opposition of Lowering the Drinking Age

A group of researchers and safety experts are now in opposition against lowering the drinking age. This research group expressed to The Washington Post that the only change that should be made is to enforce stricter laws for those caught drinking underage. This is because they are concerned that the number of fatal accidents from underage drinking will increase dramatically, especially young drivers ages 16-20. The United States does not have much data to support this theory. Instead, they are basing their opinion off of New Zealand, who lowered the drinking age from 20 to 18, that experienced an increase in driving fatalities from underage drinking.

A coalition of colleges, called the Amethyst Initiative, proposed to reopen the debate for underage drinking, saying that allowing alcohol access to people as young as 18 could promote drinking in moderation. However, this coalition has been very much criticised by experts who claim that 900 lives are saved every year from drinking-age laws. Experts are especially trying to change societal views of college students. Because each state has a different plan or opinion on how to regard underage drinking, there are no further plans congregate state senators in reaching a mutual agreement.

This is a very controversial issue. It is hard for me to take sides on this opinion because there are positives and negatives about lowering the drinking age. However, I lean more towards lowering the drinking age than away from it. I believe that lowering the drinking age will promote moderate drinking. Teenagers need to be exposed to alcohol at an earlier age to understand the affects of alcohol. Many have a skewed perception on how fantastic alcohol is and how great it can be. Teenagers should experience how alcohol affects them, and this should hopefully teach them that alcohol should only be consumed in moderate quantities. Of course, there is a concern that driving fatalities will increase. However, I don't believe they will increase, but remain the same. There are drunk driving fatalities from people well over the drinking age and well under the drinking age. As long as alcohol is legal and accessable, there will be drunk driving fatalities, regardless of what the drinking age is.