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Alcohol And Motorcycles
Alcohol and MotorcyclesIn the last twenty years, the legal system has created serious
consequences for anyone driving under the influence of alcohol.
However, the idea of driving a motorcycle under the influence is even
more dangerous for a number of reasons.
First, it's more deadly. Riders do not have the advantage and
security of a metal cage a vehicle offers in the event of a crash. In
fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2003),
motorcyclists are about 26 times as likely to die in a traffic accident.
It's clear why, it's the reason you love to ride, no restriction,
open road. But it's also no air bags, no safety features, and open
concrete with vehicles all around you.
Second, motorcyclists were more likely to be intoxicated than any other
driver, the highest of any type of vehicle. Motorcyclists had the
highest rate of alcohol use among all vehicle types in crashes,
motorcycles counting 37 percent, next to passenger cars at 27 percent,
and sport utility vehicles at 27 percent.
Lastly, operating a motorcycle requires much more coordination than
driving a passenger vehicle. Your reflexes are slowed, your vision is
impaired, and you are less coordinated.
For all of the efforts of law enforcement, the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, and motorcycle groups themselves to lower the
incidence of riding while under the influence, the amount of
motorcyclist fatalities rose from 1998 to 200, after it had been
declining from 1993 to 1997.
Additional efforts are being made to reduce the number of accidents
related to riding and alcohol use. This includes making people aware of
the risks and having them take responsibility for themselves and others
on the road.