Almost 50% of fatal motorcycle accidents show alcohol involvement.
Motorcycle riders in these accidents showed significant collision avoidance problems. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel greatly reducing collision avoidance deceleration. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent.
Motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes consistently have higher intoxication rates, with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .10 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or greater, than any other type of motor vehicle driver.
Drinking and riding remains a serious problem. Unfortunately, there seems to be a social culture which encourages alcohol consumption at many social gatherings, events and venues where riders meet. There is also a belief that if a person can get to the motorcycle, get on it, get it started, and get it moving without falling over, the operator is automatically qualified to ride.
Since alcohol can lower inhibition and affect judgment, a rider who is drunk may not admit to having had too much to drink. It is important for an impaired rider's peers to interevene through positive peer pressure.
If you suspect a rider has had too much to drink use a Breathiq Breathalyzer to check their sobriety.
DO NOT LET AN IMPAIRED RIDER RIDE THEIR BIKE!
(1) Get them a ride! Keep them SAFE! (Depending on the situation their bike can be secured in a safe location, picked up later or riden by a sober and experienced peer.)
(2) Have them wait until they are sober, and safe to ride.
Most rider-reported accounts of drinking and riding included the following:
(1) biker bars (rider-friendly bars) that serve as social focal points where drinking ultimately occurs;
(2) drinking at various other bars and public establishments;
(3) drinking that occurs during poker runs;
(4) drinking that occurs at large national or regional motorcycle rallies or events; and
(5) club meetings.
Approximately ¾ of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle, most often a passenger automobile.
The threat of injury or death was found to be an ineffective motivator to change impaired rider behavior. However, the prospect of damaging a motorcycle (through a crash or towing) or losing it through impoundment elicited more intense and emotional responses.
According to data from Motorcycle Alcohol Focus Groups: July 5 - 27, 1994.