Drinking Age Legislation

June 8, 2004

"Nation Prepares for 20 th Anniversary of 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law"

As the U.S. mourns the loss of former President Ronald Reagan, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) mourns the man who, alongside several state officials, signed into action the National Uniform Minimum Drinking Age nearly 20 years ago. This legislation, signed on July 17, 1984, has helped curb drunk driving over the past two decades.

According to MADD, enforcement of the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law "has helped save nearly 20,000 young lives from alcohol-related traffic crashes since its passage." Research has shown that preventing underage drinking has lowered the likelihood of future drunk driving occurrences.