RAISING THE LEGAL PURCHASE AGE IN THE UNITED STATES: ITS EFFECTS ON FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES

The article reviews studies on the effects of raising the alcohol purchase age. The studies have been limited to the effects on motor vehicle crashes, and they vary greatly in quality. It was found that the alcohol purchase age is one important way to reduce the problem of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes: it reduces the problem somewhat in one high-risk but small segment of the popuulation but by no means eliminates the problem in this group. Other countermeasures directed at the problem among both teenagers and adults are needed. It is important that programs directed against drinking and driving among all age groups be continued and strengthened. It is also important to develop and evaluate policies specific to high-risk groups such as teenagers. An example of such a policy is the night driving curfew for teenagers in some states.

• Corporate Authors:

  Brain Information Service

  California University, Center for Health Science
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90024
• Authors:
  • Williams, A F
• Publication Date: 1986-4

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-12
• Serial:
  • ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND DRIVING
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adolescents; Alcoholic beverages; Countermeasures; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Legal drinking age; Safety; Traffic safety
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496186
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 786
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM