What does this sentence mean? (e.g. translate into normal English) "...statutes establishing the minimum drinking age at a higher level than the age of majority are not arbitrary because they substantially further the appropriate governmental purpose of improving highway safety, and thus are constitutional."

gmackematix

Is anyone else having more trouble with the logic than the meaning? It sounds like it is saying that laws making drinking age higher than voting age are not random or based on bad opinion, but because they relate to relevant government targets, so affect the constitution(?) Jun 02 05, 12:44 AM

Arpeggionist

It means that, for the same reason that there's a minimum voting age, it is constitutional to have a minimum drinking age as well. The quote mentions highway safety - meaning underaged drinkers are a hazard on the road (in fact, the worst drunk drivers are often teenagers). Jun 02 05, 2:13 AM

robboy

The logic is clear from the actuarial point of view, as alluded to by Arpeggionist, and the quote refers to a Louisiana Supreme Court decision in response to a challenge of the drinking age set at 21 while the voting age is 18. In this case, arguments against the challenge needed to prove (verify) the 'substantial' part of improving highway safety. And that meant showing that there are, statistically, more impaired drivers under 21 than over that age. That doesn't make them the 'worst' drivers; just more of them. Jun 02 05, 7:55 AM

PaulCrewe

As an aside to robboy, when laws are passed that discriminate against a certain class of people, the laws must pass a constitutional analysis. The government must show a substantial state interest and that the interest outweighs the prejudicial ramifications. This test is heightened when applied to other groups such as minorities, gender, and religious affiliations. Jun 02 05, 3:03 PM

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