The Effect of Raising the Legal Minimum Drinking Age on Involvement in Fatal Crashes

Abstract

The research method, statistical analysis and results are reported of a study of nine states which raised their legal minimum drinking ages between September 1, 1976 and January 1, 1980. Each of the nine states was paired with a comparison state in which the legal minimum drinking age remained unchanged during the study period. Data on driver involvement in fatal crashes from January 1975 through September 1980 were obtained from the Fatal Accident Reporting System. Only drivers of motor vehicles--automobiles, light trucks, vans, on-off road vehicles--were included. The results of this study indicate that when states raise the drinking age, there is a corresponding decrease in fatal crashes among law-affected drivers. There is also some evidence that raising the drinking age also effects younger drivers, but the reduction in the involvement of such drivers in fatal crashes was not statistically significant. As of January 1981 14 states have raised the legal drinking ages in recent years. It is estimated that these law changes result, each year, in about 380 fewer young drivers involved in nighttime fatal crashes. The societal benefits achieved in states that have raised their drinking ages are substantial.