Since the drinking age was raised to a nationally uniform 21, drunk driving-related deaths have dropped substantially, at almost the same percentage as driving-related deaths that do not involve alcohol. Drinking age opponents and independent studies suggest that vehicle safety, seatbelt wearing, and increased use of designated drivers account for the substantial decrease in alcohol- and non-alcohol-related driving deaths. Furthermore, the trend started in 1969 but plateaued in the mid- to -late-1990's when cops 'n shops programs became popular. However, the introduction of cops 'n shops and slowing of the decrease in drunk driving deaths may be unrelated. | Since the drinking age was raised to a nationally uniform 21, drunk driving-related deaths have dropped substantially, at almost the same percentage as driving-related deaths that do not involve alcohol. Drinking age opponents and independent studies suggest that vehicle safety, seatbelt wearing, and increased use of designated drivers account for the substantial decrease in alcohol- and non-alcohol-related driving deaths. Furthermore, the trend started in 1969 but plateaued in the mid- to -late-1990's when cops 'n shops programs became popular. However, the introduction of cops 'n shops and slowing of the decrease in drunk driving deaths may be unrelated. |