RIDER IMPAIRMENT
Like operators of other vehicles, motorcycle operator impairment, mainly
from the use of alcohol, is a serious problem. In 2001, motorcycle operators
in fatal crashes had higher intoxication rates than any other type of
driver. Twenty-nine percent of fatally injured
motorcycle operators were intoxicated at 0.08 g/dl or greater blood alcohol
concentration (BAC), and another 7 percent were reported to be at BAC
0.01 to 0.07 g/dl. In single vehicle motorcycle crashes, 41 percent of
the fatally injured motorcyclists were intoxicated with a BAC 
.08 g/dl.
The agency has set a goal of reducing the alcohol-related highway fatality rate to no more than 0.53 per 100 million VMT by the end of 2003. In 2001, the alcohol-related fatality rate from all motor vehicle crashes was 0.63 per 100 million VMT. In 2001, the alcohol-related fatality rate from motorcycle crashes was 14.3 fatalities per 100 million VMT, or 22.7 times higher than the rate for all motor vehicles.
The risk entailed in drinking and then riding is exacerbated by other risk-taking behaviors, such as riding without the proper protective gear, including protective clothing and a motorcycle helmet. Data indicate that in 2001, only 40 percent of intoxicated motorcycle operators killed wore helmets, compared with 60 percent for those who were sober. The intoxication rate was highest for fatally injured operators between 40 to 44 years old (42 percent), followed by ages 35 to 39 (40 percent) and ages 30 to 34 (35 percent). More than 5 percent of motorcycle operators in fatal crashes in 2001 had at least one prior conviction for driving while intoxicated on their driver records, compared to fewer than 4 percent of passenger vehicle drivers.
From 1990-1999, half of all riders killed on motorcycles with 1001-1500 cc engine sizes had alcohol in their blood (11% BAC 0.01-0.09, 39% BAC 0.10+). Two-thirds of 30-39 age group riders killed on undivided roadways were speeding and using alcohol, with 55 percent having at least BAC 0.10 g/dl.
A recent report Drinking, Riding and Prevention – A Focus Group Study (November 2002) examined the attitudes and beliefs of motorcyclists’ regarding drinking and riding and found that: (1) riders often discourage peers from riding after drinking, but a culturally reinforced respect for rider freedom and individual responsibility sets intervention boundaries; (2) rider concern for the safety and security of the motorcycle nearly always overshadows concern for individual safety and contributes to drinking and riding (i.e., leaving the motorcycle and getting home an alternative way); and (3) motorcycle impoundment and court-ordered payment for vehicle storage, alcohol treatment programs, and other costs are considered persuasive countermeasures that seem to deter drinking and riding. The results suggested that the integration of social norm models into drinking-and-riding prevention programming may be a promising approach.
In order to combat the impaired rider problem, NHTSA has ongoing programs and is currently developing new strategies based on knowledge learned from recent studies. The agency will continue to work with law enforcement organizations at the National, State, and local levels to develop strategies to more aggressively enforce impaired riding laws. Moreover, NHTSA will work to ensure that impaired riding laws will be fully prosecuted and adjudicated. NHTSA will also work with National prosecutorial and judicial organizations to educate their members on impaired riding related issues.
NHTSA’s Rider Impairment Program:
Complete
Alternative Methodologies for Determining Alcohol Crash Risk Project.
NHTSA will assess the feasibility of alternative approaches to determine
the relative risk of alcohol-impaired riders. The research project is
intended to provide information regarding a variety of approaches (e.g.
case-control method) that may be used to determine crash risks among
riders who drink. Targeted completion date – March 2003
Conduct
Pilot Tests of Recommendations from the Alternative Methodologies for
Determining Alcohol Crash Risk Project. The agency will pilot test
the most feasible and effective data collection methodologies from the
Alternative Methodologies for Determining Alcohol Crash Risk project
discussed above. Targeted completion date – To be determined upon
completion of Alternative Methodologies for Determining Alcohol Crash
Risk Project.
Conduct
a Series of National Motorcycle Leadership Meetings to Address Impaired
Riding. The agency recognizes that it will take more than just
public information and education to solve the impaired riding problem.
Under the auspices of the National Agenda, NHTSA in partnership
with MSF, will convene the National motorcycling organizations to discuss
issues related to impaired riding and encourage the leadership to begin
to make policy changes within their organizations to discourage the
use of alcohol at sponsored events. Targeted completion date – October
2003
Complete
Impaired Riding Demonstration Projects. NHTSA will complete two
demonstration projects that test different strategies designed to reduce
the number of alcohol-related motorcycle crashes. Enforcement of existing
impaired driving laws; providing safe rides home, not only for the motorcyclists
but also for the motorcycle itself; and public information and education
targeting motorcyclists and their family members are key components
of these efforts in Minnesota and Hawaii. The results of these demonstration
projects will be analyzed and provided to States to use in their programs
to impact impaired riding. Targeted completion date – December 2003
Establish
a Partnership with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) to Develop
Education Messages and Prevention Strategies. To reach motorcyclists
at organized motorcycling events such as sanctioned AMA races, NHTSA
entered into partnership with the AMA to develop specific impaired riding
messages targeting motorcyclist event attendees to include the incorporation
of NHTSA’s current "Friends Don’t Let Friends Ride Drunk" and
"You Drink & Drive-You Lose" campaigns. Additionally, NHTSA
will work with the AMA to provide alcohol server training to event management
and race staff. Initial materials for this project will be released
in Spring 2003. Targeted completion date – August 2005