What should be done about laws that everyone breaks?

[Vepres]

The drinking age law is stupid. In fact, the Boulder police chief (Boulder is a college town) said it's not worth enforcing the under 21 drinking laws, and they could use their time to stop drunk drivers and the like.

When in a car, despite what a social libertarian might tell you, you really should have fewer rights. Why? Because irresponsible driving can increase the chances you'll hurt or even kill another.

[Vepres]

One interesting thing is that the typical minimum ages for drinking and those for driving are practically reversed in Europe.

The reason Americans can get a license at 16 is because cities aren't as compact as in Europe. You can practically walk anywhere in European city (or so I've heard) that you need to go. It's different in the US where, because of our geographic size, everything is farther apart and cities themselves are larger geographically. Just some thoughts.

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Actually, I think it's only 3/4 of high school students who have had an alcoholic drink. But keep in mind, only 28% have had a drink within a month of the survey I am citing, which probably means they tried it a few times and then the novelty wore off for most of them.

Franzl, I'm curious as to your opinion on the idea that, because you have to be 21 to drink alcohol, you have 21 year olds buying drinks for 18 year olds, instead of 18 year olds buy drinks for 15 year olds.