Ride Straight
Alcohol is a major contributor to motorcycle crashes, especially fatal crashes. Statistical data shows 45 to 50% of all riders killed in motorcycle accidents had been drinking. One third of these riders had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit. The remaining two thirds had only a drink or two, while not legally intoxicated, but enough to impair their judgment and motor skills needed to ride safely.
Blood Alcohol Concentration
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in the blood. The more alcohol in your body, the higher your BAC. Most people with a BAC between .08% and .10% can no longer function normally and in most states are legally intoxicated. It is important to know that these people were impaired well before reaching .08%. It starts with the first drink, because alcohol works fast into the bloodstream.
Note: In Minnesota it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC level of .08% or above. More information about Minnesota state laws regarding operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated can be found at Alcohol and the Law.
BAC is affected by three factors; the amount of alcohol consumed, the time frame within it is consumed, and the body weight of the drinker. The rule of thumb in defining an alcoholic beverage drink is that it contains one ounce of pure ethyl alcohol. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a shot of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol. Another rule of thumb is that it takes one hour to eliminate the effects of one drink. The faster a person drinks the more alcohol accumulates in the bloodstream. So if a person had two drinks within an hour, there would still be the alcohol from one drink remaining in the bloodstream. The physical size of the person is a factor in determining BAC. Considering that a large and small person drank the same amount of alcohol over the same amount of time, the smaller person would have a higher BAC level. The reason is that the smaller person has less blood volume to base the percentage.
To give you an idea about what your BAC level might be based on your weight, percentage of alcohol in your beverage, and how many alcohol drinks you consume in a given time period, check out the interactive BAC Calculator
It might be easier to get an overall perspective when you look at reference tables. Below is a reference table for men and women to estimate your level of alcohol impairment when comparing weight and number of drinks consumed. Information on these tables, like the interactive BAC Calculator mentioned above are illustrative only and indicate average or typical BAC levels. This information should never take the place of your own decision about whether to ride a motorcycle after drinking alcohol. Note that the only safe limit on both of these charts is indicated when no alcohol is consumed.
Source of these two tables are from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.
Alcohol’s Sobering Facts
- Alcohol is a depressant that slows down and impairs your mental and physical functions. Whatever you do, you will do less well after drinking.
- Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly and within a few minutes reaches your brain and begins to affect your ability to think clearly and make critical decisions.
- Alcohol first affects your ability to judge how well you are doing. This means that you don’t realize the detrimental effects taking place and are no longer able to recognize or prevent yourself from taking life-threatening risks.
- Alcohol slows your reaction time to complete a simple maneuver or cause confusion that you will not even be able to execute such a maneuver.
- Alcohol affects your simple coordination and motor skills that makes you fumble trying to put the key in the ignition, clashing gears, lurching to a stop, and killing the engine due to poor clutch control.
- Alcohol affects your ability to maintain your balance while standing or walking. Balance is usually the first skill tested in a field sobriety test.
- Alcohol has a detrimental affect on your ability to scan your environment for hazards. Your focus is concentrated on a path immediately in front of you as if you have tunnel vision. Any hazards around you or coming from the sides are not seen.
- Even the smallest amount of alcohol affects your riding skills.
- You are not immune to the effects of alcohol.
- There is no fast way you can sober up. So-called short cut remedies like drinking hot coffee, taking cold showers, physical exercise, etc will have no effect. Only time will sober you up after you have stopped drinking.
What You Can’t Do
You can’t expect to successfully control your BAC, because your judgment is the first faculty to become impaired. And even if you determine that your BAC level is below the legal limit, your BAC level should not be your deciding factor to ride or not to ride. The fact that impairment of your judgment and skills begin well below the legal limit.....after your first drink.
What You Can Do
Never put yourself in a situation to ride while you are impaired by alcohol. The simple solution is to always separate riding from drinking. Simpy adopt the the motto of Motorcycle Dial-A-Ride, Inc. which is: If You Ride Don’t Drink! or If You Drink Don't Ride!.
Also, you can be watchful for other motorcyclists in your group who may have been drinking and do what you can to keep them from riding their motorcycle. Don’t hesitate to get other friends involved to help you and implement the suggested Rider Intervention Methods, which may include calling Motorcycle Dial-A-Ride, Inc.
If You Ride, Don't Drink! or If You Drink, Don't Ride!