In the last twenty years, the legal system has created serious
consequences for anyone driving under the influence of alcohol.
Guidelines on what the legal limit is to be considered under the
influence have been changes, stiffer financial and legal penalties have
been put in place, and multiple offenses add up to more severe
consequences. In some states, driving under the influence charges can
result in habitual charges even when the additional charges are related
to illegal drugs unrelated to alcohol. The idea of driving a motorcycle
under the influence is even more dangerous for a number of reasons.

First, it's more deadly. Riders do not have the advantage and
security of a metal cage a vehicle offers in the event of a crash. In
fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2003),
motorcyclists are about 26 times as likely to die in a traffic accident.
It's clear why, it's the reason you love to ride, no restriction,
open road. But it's also no air bags, no safety features, and open
concrete with vehicles all around you. This is compounded with higher
speeds and heavier traffic areas. When a bike hits another vehicle or
the road, the driver is much more at risk for fatality or serious injury
than a person behind the wheel of a car, truck, or van.

Second, motorcyclists were more likely to be intoxicated than any other
driver, the highest of any type of vehicle in research conducted by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcyclists had the
highest rate of alcohol use among all vehicle types in crashes,
motorcycles counting 37 percent, next to passenger cars at 27 percent,
and sport utility vehicles at 27 percent.

Lastly, operating a motorcycle requires much more coordination than
driving a passenger vehicle. Your reflexes are slowed, your vision is
impaired, and you are less coordinated. Add alcohol to the need for
more coordination and more crashes occur.

For all of the efforts of law enforcement, the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, and motorcycle groups themselves to lower the
incidence of riding while under the influence, the amount of
motorcyclist fatalities rose from 1998 to 2000, after it had been
declining from 1993 to 1997. Law enforcement is making it a priority to
arrest and convict motorcyclists driving under the influence. Ad
campaigns are seen across the nation to inform the general public about
alcohol related driving offenses particularly when operating a
motorcycle. Some clubs and driver organizations, emphasis is being paid
to the dangers and the consequences of driving under the influence.

Additional efforts are being made to reduce the number of accidents
related to riding and alcohol use. This includes making people aware of
the risks and having them take responsibility for themselves and others
on the road.