Why is the drinking age 21 in the US?

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 mandated that all states must raise the minimum legal drinking age to 21 years. The Act was passed as a result of pressure from organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other public health advocates.

Studies had shown that the higher minimum legal drinking age was effective in reducing alcohol-related fatalities among drivers under the age of 21, and so the Act was passed as a way to curb the problem of underage drinking and driving.

Underage drinking can have a range of negative consequences, including impaired judgment, increased risk of accidents and injuries, and long-term effects on brain development. The higher drinking age is intended to discourage young people from drinking and to reduce the incidence of these negative consequences.