NationStates Jolt Archive

This applies mostly to the US I suppose, since most other countries dont have the same age limitations on drinking. But if they changed the law regarding the legal age to purchase and consume alcohol from 21 to 18, yet raised the age that you could obtain a Drivers License to 18, would you go for it?


Pros? Cons?

Don't many parents depend on their kids having drivers licences? Their routines would fall appart if they had to become chauffeurs.

No. I have friends under the age of twenty-one who drive up to forty miles a day to get to their jobs. Last thing you want is more unemployed bums sitting around.

The legal age for getting a driving liscense here, oddly enough, is 16 .5.

Drinking age is still 21.







But it isn't like anyone really cares about the law.

I think the drinking age should be abolished. Parents should be able to decide when a child is ready for introduction into alcohol, ssuch as wine with dinner. That way, they become adjusted to alcohol and do not go on a wild crazy rampage of intoxication in college just because they can.

To purchase alcohol, however, I would say, 18.

As for driving, I think 15 is good for a learners permit. The complete driver's license should be raised to 18. 16-17 should be to and from work/school only, and only during daylight hours.

At the moment (and for a long time now) you've been able to drive for one year before you can drink here (UK).

I think it'd make more sense for them to be the same age, but, 17 to drive 18 to drink aint too bad.

Personally drinking 18 driving 16.

If you are old enough to serve your country
If you are old enough to decide its leaders

You are old enough to have a drink

I think the drinking age should be abolished. Parents should be able to decide when I child is ready for introduction into alcohol, ssuch as wine with dinner. That way, they become adjusted to alcohol and do not go on a wild crazy rampage of intoxication in college just because they can.

To purchase alcohol, however, I would say, 18.

As for driving, I think 15 is good for a learners permit. The complete driver's license should be raised to 18. 16-17 should be to and from work/school only, and only during daylight hours.


I think I agree with the parent decision thing. Perhaps not allowing them to purchase it, but consumption yes. When I was in the restaurant biz, a family was letting their 13 year old have a glass of wine after some sort of ceremony and someone actually called the police on them. The police came in and asked for the Manager, so I came to the lobby thinking "wtf?" They told me they had reason to believe that we were serving minors, so we spoke at length and he said he was going to do a walk through. Well he found the table and told the parents that he could arrest them and have their child taken into custody. It was such drama. They explained that they were only letting her have one glass, but the officer made a big scene. They didnt get arrested but their dinner was ruined most assuredly. I comped their meal after the cop left. I think the whole thing was absurd.

At the moment (and for a long time now) you've been able to drive for one year before you can drink here (UK).

Not quite: you can buy and consume beer and cider in restaurants at age 16 - to say nothing of the fact that it is actually legal to drink alcohol at the tender age of 5. So that makes it being able to drink for 12 years before you can drive in the UK, yes?