We thank Guido Imbens and two anonymous referees for valuable comments on a previous draft.
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DOES THE MINIMUM LEGAL DRINKING AGE SAVE LIVES?
Article first published online: 15 OCT 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7295.2008.00179.x
© 2008 Western Economic Association International
Additional Information
How to Cite
MIRON, J. A. and TETELBAUM, E. (2009), DOES THE MINIMUM LEGAL DRINKING AGE SAVE LIVES?. Economic Inquiry, 47: 317–336. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-7295.2008.00179.x
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We thank Guido Imbens and two anonymous referees for valuable comments on a previous draft.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 15 OCT 2008
- Online Early publication October 15, 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
The minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) is widely believed to save lives by reducing traffic fatalities among underage drivers. Further, the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act, which pressured all states to adopt an MLDA of 21, is regarded as having contributed enormously to this life-saving effect. This article challenges both claims. State-level panel data for the past 30 yr show that any nationwide impact of the MLDA is driven by states that increased their MLDA prior to any inducement from the federal government. Even in early-adopting states, the impact of the MLDA did not persist much past the year of adoption. The MLDA appears to have only a minor impact on teen drinking. (JEL H11, K42)