Age Restriction
Minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws of 21 in the U.S. refer to a minimum age required to purchase alcohol in a state and measures aimed at preventing people under the minimum age from accessing alcohol. MLDA laws have significantly reduced drinking and drinking-related problems among adolescents and young adults, including education drop-out rates, car crashes, crime, injuries, assaults and suicides. There is also evidence that the relaxation of age restrictions contributes to heavier use later in life.
- Drinking Age Laws and Highway Mortality Rates: Cause and EffectSaffer H, Grossman M. Economic Inquiry. 25(3), 403-417.Date: 1987 (archived)
- Raising the Legal Drinking Age in Maine: Impact on Traffic Accidents Among Young DriversWagenaar AC. International Journal of the Addictions. 18(3), 365-377.Date: 1983 (archived)