But first, the operator must decide upon a safe place to stop his bike. Problems with any step in this sequence can be evidence of alcohol impairment. Not every motorcyclist that you see having some form of trouble with a dismount is under the influence, but study results indicated that more than 50 percent of them are. In other words, trouble with dismount is an excellent clue. The typical practice at a stop is for the motorcyclist to place one foot on the ground to keep the bike upright, while leaving the other foot on the peg nearest the gear shift lever.
Some riders favor placing both feet on the ground for stability.
Riders whose balance has been impaired by alcohol often have difficulty with this task. From a block away, an officer might notice a single tail light moving from side to side in a gentle rocking motion. The research identified four turning problems that are indicative of rider impairment. Each of the problems is described separately in the following paragraphs. Unsteady During Turn or Curve.