The National Minimum Drinking Age Act was enacted in 1984 in the United States to establish a minimum legal drinking age of 21 years. This law aimed to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and promote public health by preventing underage drinking. States that did not comply faced a reduction in federal highway funds. The act was a response to growing concerns about the dangers of alcohol consumption among youth. By setting the legal age at 21, the government sought to protect young people from the risks associated with alcohol, including impaired judgment and increased likelihood of accidents.