There have been many tests on the way alcohol and various other drugs affect reflexes, coordination, depth perception and risk taking behaviour. The results are always the same, increased risk due to reduced capability.
Keep in mind that it is not just your own mistakes that become dangerous.
When you’ve been drinking, you may not be able to react properly to others’ mistakes either. And the ride most worth doing, is the one you do well.
It’s worth remembering that alcohol has an effect on you at much lower levels than the legal blood alcohol limit and even two drinks can take you to 0.05.
In the period 1997 to 2001, 20 per cent of the motorcyclists killed in NSW had alcohol in their blood.
Next time your ride takes you to a pub, consider a soft drink instead.
Alcohol: less skill, more risk.
It’s worth keeping in mind that a motorcycle casualty is four times as likely to be fatal if the rider has an illegal blood alcohol level.
Useful contacts
- Police and other emergency services: 000.
- Reporting road surface damage: 131 700.
- RTA customer service: 13 22 13 (8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri and 8.30am - 2pm Sat).
- Rider training bookings: 13 22 13.
- NSW St John Ambulance: 1300 360 455.
Back to top