The serious issue of drinking and driving is not regulated to those operating car and trucks – the shocking truth is that besides speeding, drinking while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is the most common cause of fatal motorcycle accidents. According to the United States National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), 30 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a biker with an illegal amount of alcohol present in his blood. An estimated 45 percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve some amount of alcohol.
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Driving a motorcycle after drinking is even more dangerous than driving other types of motor vehicles. A biker must balance, operate two brakes, steer, shift, and operate the clutch all while navigating roads that could be rife with hazards such as pot holes, grooves, or rough pavement. Even when sober, driving a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car – and adding inebriation to the equation can be deadly.
According to a report release by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the rate of DUI motorcycle accidents and accident fatalities has increased, especially concerning drivers over the age of 40. While the rate of drunk driving deaths for other vehicles decreases, the rate of deadly drunk driving accidents for older motorcycle riders has increased.
Some blame the culture of motorcycle riding on the problem of drinking and biking – but the truth is that individual motorcycle riders must become personally responsible for their bike riding. Only their behavior can prevent future fatal drinking and biking accidents. Very simply, drinking and biking is illegal and should never be done – and any amount of drinking can prove disastrous when riding a motorcycle.