Drinking Age Presentation

[The Huddler]

Huddlers,

 

I am doing a presentation on why the drinking age should be lowered to 18 for this summer class I am taking. I am also covering the topic of why the BAC should remain at .08 and should not be lowered to .05. I did not pick my topic as it was given to me. 

 

I have many good generic arguments, but I was wondering if I could pick the brains of some of you for ideas or arguments that aren't as obvious. I figured there are many young people on here who would be passionate about the topic or could have some good experience.

 

If y'all could give me a few perspectives on this I would really appreciate it. Trying to be creative because need a good grade on this. Gotta keep that GPA up to get into my major.

[The Huddler]

Pie for anyone who chips in an idea or two.

[YourManInAmsterdam]

If it's not so obvious...

 

I would examine statistics on binge drinking, alcoholism, and drunk driving accidents/incidence rates in Western countries that have lower drinking ages.  For instance, beer and wine are available to those 16 and older here in the Netherlands, and I believe it's the same in Belgium.  Hard liquor is 18 and older.  Then compare those numbers to those in the United States.

[Squirrel]

Only thing I can think of for arguing for the 18 is that everything else in life when you turn 18 you are considered a adult.  But society is saying you are not responsible enough to drink. I wouldnt go the way you can die for your country at 18 but cant buy a beer.  That has been argued to death.  Make it about having 18 being responsible and how society keep pushing the age back on when someone is supposibly a responsible adult.  Back in the history it used to be 13 then 16 then it went to 18 and now it is suppsode to be 21. 

 

 

As far as BAC.  This one is actually a little easier.  BAC isnt about tolerence it is percentage of alcohol in the blood.  A bigger person can drink more alcohol and registry the same as a smaller person who drank less.   While tolerence would be a better indicator of how drunk some. I know I out  drank alot of people twice might size and wasnt drunk as them. 

[Squirrel]

also one beer will be ledally drunk at .05

[Kevin Greene]

If you're old enough to fight, kill or die for your country.

You should be able to have a beer.

[Shufdog]

.08 ain't drunk, much less .05!

 

If the government can pluck you out of your graduating high school class and send you to a foreign country to kill people, you are more than mature enough to drink a beer!

 

I know these are worn out arguments, and probably not what you were looking for, but these need to be answered first!!!

[TheRumGone]

you could look at data of drunk drivers with .08 compared to over the limit. i don't know this data but it would be interesting to hear.

 

you could also look at how alcohol sales will drop because people will be scared to have a beer/glass of wine with a meal

 

you could look at how there could be an increase in jailed people/court costs ect. because of the bac dip

 

tie all that in to see if it is even worth it.

[SOJA]

not sure if you can get into the whole 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor, but I think this would serve as a good logistical transition

 

 

also there is plenty of data suggesting that when you are overtired you are just as dangerous if not more dangerous of a driver than someone whose BAC is .07

[AppStatePanther]

Anyone else notice Squirrel's attempts at the word supposedly. :thumbsu:  

[Squirrel]

Anyone else notice Squirrel's attempts at the word supposedly. :thumbsu:  

 

 

That wasnt really a attempt.

[Panthro]

If it's not so obvious...

I would examine statistics on binge drinking, alcoholism, and drunk driving accidents/incidence rates in Western countries that have lower drinking ages. For instance, beer and wine are available to those 16 and older here in the Netherlands, and I believe it's the same in Belgium. Hard liquor is 18 and older. Then compare those numbers to those in the United States.

Id also say that public transit and infrastructure there is leaps and bounds ahead of the us. That s like comparing NYCs duis per capita

[MadHatter]

As far as BAC.  This one is actually a little easier.  BAC isnt about tolerence it is percentage of alcohol in the blood.  A bigger person can drink more alcohol and registry the same as a smaller person who drank less.   While tolerence would be a better indicator of how drunk some. I know I out  drank alot of people twice might size and wasnt drunk as them. 

 

You may have appeared to be less drunk than the larger person was.  However, studies and statistics have shown that your reaction times are more impared (even if you don't outwardly show it by staggering. sluring, etc).

 

The studies have shwon that there is a direct correlation to your actual impairment and the % of alcohol blood content....regardless of how you show it.

 

Not arguing for or against a .05 threshold....just stating statistics and facts.

[Happy Panther]

 

For the average person, the "relative risk" barely changes until you hit .12. This means the average person is no more dangerous on the road until he goes above .12.

 

The exception as you can see in the graph above is 16-20 year old male which starts rising materially at .04. Basically the rest of the population is being punished.

 

This is an example of a law addressing the lowest common denominator.