Choose Responsibility

Most of the rest of the world views alcohol differently and has very different cultural and legal approaches to the purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol. The most salient findings in a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study include the following: the illegal Blood Alcohol Concentration for most of the United States is higher than for any of the other countries studied; the minimum purchase, possession, and consumption age for alcohol is older in the United States than for almost all other countries studied; driver’s licensing age for most countries is some years older than the minimum purchase age for alcohol; sanctions in other countries tend to be based primarily on arrest BAC. There appears to be little correlation between drinking age and the number or rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Another important factor in international comparisons is the significance in cultural differences reflected in public attitudes towards impaired driving and towards relevant laws.