This study examined existing evaluations of drinking-age laws to determine the extent to which they provide empirical support for federal and state initiatives to change the legal drinking age. It specifically examined the effects that raising the minimum drinking age has had on traffic accidents, beverage alcohol consumption, driving after drinking, and related concerns for youths younger than the minimum age. A review of 49 documents which evaluated laws raising the legal drinking age revealed that raising the legal drinking age had a direct effect on reducing alcohol-related traffic accidents among youths affected by the laws. Evidence suggests that raising the drinking age results in a decline in both alcohol consumption and driving after drinking for the age group affected by the law. The evidence was insufficient to draw conclusions about the effects of raising the drinking age on youths 16 to 17 years old, border crossings, and other related matters. Literature reviews of earlier evaluations of the effects of lowering the drinking age, however, do give evidence that traffic-accident outcomes increased as a result of changes in the law. (Nine appendices, 16 tables, and 6 figures are included.) (NB)