The Federal Government Addresses Underage Drinking and Serious Auto Accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is focusing on drinking and driving, particularly drinking and driving by teenagers. Recent statistics show that of the approximately 40,000 deaths from traffic accidents each year, about 40% of the accidents involve alcohol. The NTSB issues recommendations to reduce the number of accidents each year, particularly those involving alcohol. Recently, the idea of reducing the drinking age has been in the news. However, according to the NTSB, reducing the drinking age from 21 would increase alcohol consumption and the number of alcohol related fatal accidents involving underage drivers. The NTSB points to studies that suggest that raising the drinking age would reduce alcohol consumption by young drivers as well as the number of deaths and injuries caused by alcohol related motor vehicle accidents.
