| The reason Wisconsin changed its drinking age to 21 was not, as you stated, because of a rise in DWIs, etc., but because Ronald Reagan threatened to withdraw Federal highway funds from any state that didn't change their drinking age to 21.
As so often happens, once a law is on the books, its almost impossible to change it back. There has been no appreciable decrease in DWI, DUI, or drunk-driving related offenses since the drinking age was raised, but any efforts to introduce legislation in WI to lower the age back to 18 have failed miserably. At least we have some politicians who keep trying.
My personal view is that the drinking age should be eliminated altogether, but the driving age should be raised to 21. That way, by the time someone is able to legally get behind the wheel of a car, they'll have enough experience with drinking to know their limits, and, it is to be hoped, enough maturity to respect those limits. |
