While drinking and driving a car is a problem given much attention in our society, fewer people probably think about the dangers that drunk motorcycle riders pose on New Jersey roads. As they are depicted in popular culture, bikers are closely associated with rallies, bars, alcohol, drugs and violence. Therefore, many riders may be receiveing a mixed message when it comes to drinking and riding.
According to Motorcycle.com, the stereotypes surrounding bikers may be partially groundedin the truth. When it comes to fatal accidents, drivers of motorcycles are two and a half times more likely to have imbibed compared to their car driving counterparts. The most dangerous time to be sharing the road wtih intoxicated motorcyclists is the weekend, when the majority of accidents occur.
While investigation into drunk riding versus drunk driving has not been extensive, it has been found that bikers’ judgment begins to decrease at as little as 0.01 to 0.04 percent blood alcohol content. Riding requires a more complex set of cognitive and motor skills compared to driving a car and by the time a rider reaches the legal threshold of 0.08, those abilities are extremely impeded.
As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the time a person reaches 0.08 BAC, he or she will lack muscle coordination, perception and judgment will be impaired, and the ability to process information will be diminished. Riders who compromise their skills by drinking and then deciding to ride, not only put themselves in danger but put the lives of everyone else on the road at risk as well.
