Drunk or impaired driving is a leading cause of serious traffic accidents, and those involving motorcycle riders are no exception. In fact, the Department of Transportation’s 2020 Traffic Safety Facts report notes that “motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2020 had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than any other type of motor vehicle driver (27% for motorcycle riders, 23% for passenger car drivers, 19% for light-truck drivers, and 3% for large-truck drivers).”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Alcohol and drugs, including some prescribed medications, negatively affect your judgment, coordination, balance, throttle control, and ability to shift gears. These substances also impair your alertness and reduce your reaction time. Even when you’re fully alert, it’s impossible to predict what other vehicles or pedestrians are going to do. Therefore, make sure you are alcohol and drug-free when you get on your motorcycle. Otherwise, you’ll be heading for trouble.”