why are people allowed to drink and drive?
448747
It depends on the state but in most states you are allowed to drive after a number of drinks as long as you are within the blood-alcohol threshold. In Texas it is currently set at .08.
50719
You can fight for your country (volunteer) at age 18 because that is the age of majority when a person is deemed old enough to sign binding contracts (to buy a car or join the Army, etc.).\n\nYou can not drink (and drive) until you are 21 for several reasons.  If drinking was legal at say 18, it would be freely available to friends (in high school!) below 18, and lead to far more drinking/driving accidents.  It often does anyway among those who ignore the law.  Driving for many aged 18 or less is a new skill and alcohol can wipe out a new skill much easier than a well-ingrained skill, clouding judgement and coordination, leading to serious injury and death for friends and perfect strangers who merely got in the way.  The record speaks for itself.\n\nIn a perfect world, no one would abuse alcohol and there would be no war.  Those who drink beer illegally are also less apt to fight for their country - because they do not value the rule of law.\n\nFor those who survive to age 21, there will be plenty of time to drink beer and serve their country, as they choose.
792020
i agree.\nthere are plenty of nasty illegal drugs, that people abuse and put added strain on the health services, \njust because alcohol is legal, it doesn't stop it being as destructive and an equally abused drug.\n\ni heard the other day that alcohol will b getting health-warnings, but the alcohol companies r busy finding ways 2 stop it.\n\ni'd rather b trapped in a lift with some1 with a bad case of tourettes than an alcoholic!
539513
wearing seatbelts probably is a good idea, but i would hate to be the one who died because he WAS wearing a seatbelt.(or anybody i knew) a better law would be for ALL cars to be equipped with those breathalyzer things that won't let the car start if you have been drinking.( no regristration for cars not equipped)
332607
Because if anyone was allowed to drive a car, there would be many injuries. We need a way of regulating who can use a car for the interest of public safety.
411959
Underage Possession of Alcohol\nPossession is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):\n  •  private residence AND \n  •  parent/guardian presence and consent\n  •  one or more specified religious, educational, or medical purposes.\n\nLoss of Driving Privileges for Alcohol Violations by Minors ("Use/Lose Laws")\n\nType(s) of violation leading to driver's license suspension, revocation, or denial:\n  •  underage possession\n  •  underage consumption\n\nUse/lose penalties apply to minors under age 18\nAuthority to impose driver's license sanction: mandatory\nLength of suspension/revocation: 365 days
679022
I've been hit twice by people holding big drinks (coffee or soda) in their hands.  Anyone distracted or impaired is a huge risk, I don't care if it's a phone, a baby or a drink.  They shouldn't be driving.
892924
No. Many people seem to forget that driving is a privilege NOT a right. If you are too old, too short, too young, too drunk, or too stupid you should NOT be allowed to drive. It is not offensive to question this as it is about the safety of the entire community.
431131
2 reasons:  1) History.  2) Momentum.\n\nIn regard to history, we already prohibited alcohol once in this country and it failed miserably.  For that reason, the prohibition was lifted.  Instead, we do have strict laws that greatly restrict when and how we can consume alcohol.  \nThose laws are designed to protect innocent people, even though people don't always follow the laws and people still get hurt.\n\n2)  The anti-tobacco campaign, however, is gaining huge political momentum.  The tobacco companies have lost big law suits because they lied about knowing of the harmful chemicals they were putting in cigarettes.  The tobacco industry had to shell out billions of dollars to states in a settlement and they have very little lobbying power right now to stop the local laws that are going into place.  The laws themselves don't prosecute a person for smoking per se, they only prosecute a person for smoking in a way that jeopardizes someone else's health.  So, if you are in public smoking a cigarette and someone else can breathe in your harmful smoke, you can be prosecuted... just like you can be prosecuted if you ram your car into someone when you are drunk.\n\nThe real question is... if we are holding people legally liable for polluting our air with cigarettes, why aren't we holding manufacturers strictly liable for dangerous smoke that they put into the air when there are things they can do, although more expensive, to lessen that degree of smoke?
1017306
IMO, drinking AND driving should be set at 18.  If we can get drafted to die for our country at 18, then we should be given the rights and privaleges to get our licenses and drink as well.  Thats how the age to get the license was lowered nationwide - due to the draft.  However if we taught the children to moderate and not be stupid, then drinking would be less of a problem.
1016373
Having alcohol in your trunk is possession of alcohol which is illegal if you are under age. I suppose it could be different if there were an older passenger in the car who could claim it as his.
1017304
Why do people eat while driving?  Why do people concentrate on changing the radio station while driving?  Why do women put on makeup while driving?  All of these are responsible for distracting drivers, too.  People are just stupid I guess.
288307
coz dinking and driving is illegal and subject to penalties
942061
Totally stupid...and no, I have never done this.  If you aren't smart enough to operate a gas pump properly, and this isn't a hard task....my mom taught me at age 14.....then you shouldn't be driving either.  It's obvious that lack of concentration is involved, and that isn't a safe person on the road.  Either that, or they are drunk...and that is a no-no and stupid as well.
867946
Its ok to drink just dont drive. It should be MAD mothers against drinking.
1066050
The Legal age of 21 is good.\n \nALL PEOPLE need to take responsibility for their own actions.  If you are 21+, you can go out, drink legally, have fun and safely drive home.  Military personnel can drink at 18, on the base.\nI'm sure some 14yr olds could drive safely after a few drinks, but that doesn't mean we should lower the drinking age and driving age.  I've actually witnessed some 34yr olds, who can't drive after a few drinks.  Should it raised to 35 or worse, illegal to drink after the age of 33?  There will always be people under the age of 21, that find a way to get alcohol, but it's not OK.  If you get caught, you get in trouble.  If you're driving over the legal limit, you will get in big trouble and could serious hurt or kill people.  Don't ruin someone elses good time.\n\nIt's OK to drink, just know your limit and be responsible.  Call a friend/cab, take the bus or sleep in your car until you sober up.
996343
because they can because they have men with guns who will stop you if you don't\n\noh and serving liquor is not a privilege it is a right enumerated in the declaration of independence under the paragraph where it says "the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"