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Preventing Impaired Riding

Drinking while riding was a factor in over a third of all motorcycle fatalities from 2012 to 2020. Because riding requires more skill and concentration than driving a four-wheeled vehicle, even relatively low levels of alcohol in the bloodstream (BAC) can be deadly: a rider with a BAC of 0.03 is three times more likely than a sober rider to be involved in a fatal crash. At the legal DUI limit of BAC 0.08, a rider’s fatality risk is 20 times higher than it would be if he/she were sober.

The decision to ride after drinking alcohol is a personal one; however, there are strategies that the rider community can use to help prevent impaired-riding crashes and protect other riders.

Resources

Made possible through a Texas Department of Transportation traffic safety grant, researchers at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute have developed resources intended to reduce the number of impaired riding crashes.

Motorcycle Stakeholder Tool Kit for Preventing Impaired Riding

Cover of the Motorcycle Stakeholder Tool Kit for Preventing Impaired Riding

Download the Motorcycle Stakeholder Tool Kit for Preventing Impaired Riding!

Impaired Riding: Chris’s Story

Drink. Ride. Consequences. (30-second promo)

Culture and Community

Leading by Example

How Does Alcohol Affect Riding?

Sober Rider

Downloadable Graphics

1. BAC of 0.03 (Version A)
A rider's relative risk of a fatal crash is 3 times higher relative to the risk while sober. Warning: This graphic is not a challenge to see how much you can consume. This information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, comes from real scientific facts. It is for educational and informational purposes only and not intended to encourage you to see how much you can drink while riding. In fact, when on a ride, we do not want you to drink at all, duh. No material on this page is intended to be a substitute for common sense. If you have any questions about this information, consult an expert, not a professional drinker or your loudest buddy. If you're riding, don't drink. If you are drinking, don't ride. 		2. BAC of 0.03 (Version B)
Drinking and Riding? A rider's relative risk of a fatal crash is 3 times higher relative to the risk while sober. Warning: We know what we're talking about. A .03 blood alcohol level impairs reasoning, decreases inhibitions, and increases a sense of false confidence. So while you might start out feeling like Superman, you can start making super dumb decisions, quickly. Haven't you ever heard the phrase, "hero to zero?" If you're riding, don't drink. If you're drinking, don't ride.
3. BAC of 0.05

Drinking and Riding? Riders experienced significant performance deficits including slower braking reaction times and greater difficulty staying in lane boundaries. Really we're not making this up. This is elemental. Studies show that a high blood alcohol level can severely impair your judgement. Don't let chemistry get the best of you. If you're riding, don't drink. If you're drinking, don't ride.		4. BAC of 0.08

Drinking and Riding? A rider's relative risk of a fatal crash is 20 times higher relative to the risk while sober. Disclaimer: No riders were harmed in the making of this graphic. The real world turns out quite different. A high blood alcohol level can cause reduced concentration, short-term memory loss, lack of speed control, reduced information processing capability, and impaired perception. If you're riding, don't drink. If you're drinking, don't ride.