Alcohol & you

Riding a motorcycle takes skill, coordination, balance and, most important, good judgment. Alcohol, more than any other single factor, can rob you of your ability to think clearly and ride safely — even after just one drink.

As with drivers of other types of vehicles, that loss of skill and judgment — and the danger it poses — is a potential problem anywhere motorcyclists ride after consuming alcohol. To be sure you keep yourself and those around you safe, it's good to know exactly how alcohol can affect the motor skills and judgment needed to ride safely.

The result of making the wrong choice is all too clear. Statistics show that nearly 40 percent of fatally injured motorcycle operators had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or greater. Of these, 80 percent had a BAC of .08 of higher — the illegal limit in most states.

Alcohol works fast.

Unlike other beverages, alcohol is absorbed very rapidly into the bloodstream. In just a few minutes, the alcohol from one drink can circulate throughout the body and affect the brain. A 12-ounce beer is just as intoxicating — and just as potent — as a one-ounce shot of whiskey or a five-ounce glass of wine.

How much is too much?

You know that "too much" alcohol can get you in trouble — but how much is "too much"?

Alcohol affects each of us differently. Remember: Alcohol begins working on your brain with the first drink. So even when you're not legally impaired, you've already lost some of the critical skills and judgment you need to ride safely.

What you can do

The safest and most responsible choice is don't drink and ride. Because once you start, your judgment is affected and your ability to say "no" — or "no more" — is weaker. And keep an eye on your friends, too. If you see that they've had too much to drink, do what you can to keep them from getting back on their motorcycle. That's why you shouldn't risk it and the most responsible choice is choosing not to drink and ride.

If you notice that a friend may be impaired and shouldn't ride, arrange a safe ride for him. If you need help, don't be afraid to get other friends involved.

Ride Straight Q&A

Q: Why do some people seem to get "tipsy" faster than others?
A: A number of factors can influence how alcohol affects you. Drinking on an empty stomach, when you're tired, tense, or on certain medication can accelerate alcohol's effects. A person's weight, size, and alcohol tolerance are also factors that affect reactions to consuming alcoholic beverages. How fast you drink, and the amount of alcohol in each drink can also affect alcohol's impact. 

Q: What's the fastest way to sober-up?
A: There are no shortcuts. None of those "remedies" you've heard about — cold showers, hot coffee, or physical exercise — will make you sober. All you can do is wait.

Q: How soon after drinking can I ride?
A: There's no easy answer, because alcohol affects each of us differently. Remember, your body can process about one drink an hour. So watch yourself. The responsible choice is to choose not to drink and ride.