Above: Every 12 minutes, another person dies in a car accident. 

1. Drunk Driving

"Drunk driving is a blight on our civilization. An average of 17,000 individuals die each year in drunk driving related deaths. While the numbers have come down slightly — in 2010, for example, 10,228 individuals died from drunk driving related fatalities — drunk driving continues to be an enormously important public safety issue.

What is more, drinking and driving is strongly correlated with youth. According to M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), in 2010 the highest drunk driving rates were found amongst those ages 21 to 25 (23.4%), and 18 to 20 (15.1%). After age 25, the drunk driving rates decrease.

It seems quite plausible that were alcohol to be legalized for those under the age of 18, the 15.1% of 18 to 20 year olds who drink before getting behind the wheel would rise significantly. The fatalities caused by drinking and driving would likely rise as well.

Taking that chance seems irresponsible. As an article in MADD's Driven Magazine put it, "promoting 'responsible drinking and driving' is like promoting 'responsible drive-by shootings.'"  "(Policy Mic)

2. Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning

"Another critical reason not to lower the drinking age is the prevalence of binge drinking, particularly on college campuses. A brief stroll through nearly every major campus in America reveals a plethora of keg parties, crowded bars filled with fake ID wielding minors, and rowdy sorority and fraternity functions that rage through the night.

According to The Center For Science In The Public Interest, "44% of students attending 4-year colleges drink alcohol at the binge level or greater." What is more, as many as 30,000 college students need medical treatment each year to cope with alcohol poisoning. Fox News reports that 157 college-age individuals (ages 18 to 23) drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005. Given the epidemic of binge drinking among minors lowering the drinking age would be like subjecting a few dozen more Americans, each year, to the firing squad.  "(policy Mic)