What is the legal drinking age in the United States?

The legal drinking age in the United States is established at 21 years old due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. This law was implemented to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities among young people, as studies indicated that a higher legal drinking age correlated with lower rates of youth drinking and driving. The decision to set the age at 21 was influenced by research revealing that individuals under this age are generally less able to handle the effects of alcohol, leading to a higher incidence of risky behavior and poor decision-making.

Establishing the minimum legal drinking age at 21 has resulted in long-term public health benefits, including fewer alcohol-related incidents among youth and a decrease in alcohol consumption among those underage. This age restriction is reinforced by penalties for states that do not comply, including the withholding of federal highway funds, which has led all states to adopt the minimum legal drinking age of 21.