Media Release - Ohio State Highway Patrol

For Immediate Release: June 28, 2005
Contact: OSHP - Lt. Rick Zwayer or Sgt. Jon Gray (614) 752-2792
American Motorcyclist Association - Tom Lindsay (614) 856-1900 ext. 1357

Alcohol and motorcycles don’t mix

COLUMBUS – Riding a motorcycle takes 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.

This spring and summer, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is providing motorcycle safety tips from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as part of our Ride Smart. Drive Smart. partnership to help make it a safe and enjoyable motorcycle riding season.

Alcohol and motorcycles don’t mix. As motorcyclists begin thinking about riding throughout the upcoming holiday weekend, here are some points to consider from AMA’s national Ride Straight alcohol awareness program:

Alcohol & you – Even one drink can negatively impact your ability to ride safely. The dangers posed by a loss of skill and judgment can be a problem anywhere motorcyclists ride after consuming alcohol. The results of making a wrong choice are all too clear. In Ohio during 2004, alcohol impaired riders were involved in 37.3 percent of all motorcycle fatal crashes.
Alcohol works fast – Unlike other beverages, alcohol is absorbed very rapidly into the bloodstream. In just a few minutes, the alcohol from just one drink can circulate through your body and affect your judgment and ability to safely drive a motorcycle.
How much is too much? – Alcohol affects everyone differently, however it begins working on your brain and motor skills with the first drink. Even if you are not legally impaired, alcohol causes you to lose 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. Once you start, your judgment is affected and your ability to say “no” – or “no more” – is weaker. Keep an eye on your friends too. If you see they’ve had too much to drink, do what you can to discourage them from getting back on their motorcycle. The most responsible choice is choosing not to drink and ride.

The goal of Ride Smart. Drive Smart. is to help motorcyclists and other drivers share the road safely. Three key safety awareness themes to achieve this goal are:

1. Get Trained (including knowing proper safety gear to wear)/Get Licensed;
2. Stay Sober (incorporating the AMA’s national Ride Straight program); and
3. Other drivers, be aware by looking out for motorcyclists.

For more information on Ride Smart. Drive Smart. visit, http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/motorcycle.htm.

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Note to editors: For more information about the American Motorcyclist Association, visit www.AMADirectlink.com or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

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Alcohol and motorcycles don’t mix

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