ABSTRACT
Since that time alcohol has been regulated by the Federal government, individual states, and local ordinances. There was a lowering of the drinking age in many states in response to social pressures during the Vietnam war era. The rationale for this was that it seemed hypocritical to allow someone to die for their country and to vote, but not legally drink alcohol. One of the unfortunate consequences was a sharp increase in highway fatalities. Under pressure from the Federal government to restrict highway funds to states that did not raise the drinking age to 21, most states complied.
