Everybody knows that operating a passenger vehicle under the influence of alcohol is risky and increases a person's risk of involvement in an accident. Alcohol intoxication may be even more dangerous when the person is riding a motorcycle. All motorcyclists in Bellevue should review these motorcycle drunk driving facts.
Drunk Driving Motorcycle Accident Statistics & Ages Most at Risk
However, drunk motorcycle riding is far more prevalent than people believe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 29 percent of motorcyclists killed in fatal accidents in 2012 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of or greater than .08 at the time of the accident.
The CDC cites a 2004 report that estimates that about half of the motorcyclists killed in accidents between 1983 and 2003 and who were drunk were over the age of 40. In fact, motorcyclists between the age of 40 and 44 had the highest percentage of motorcycle fatalities with BACs of .08 or more. Review our previous blog about motorcycle accident statistics in Washington for more information.
Impaired Driving Facts: The Effect of Alcohol on a Motorcyclist
You don't have to have a blood alcohol concentration of.08 or higher to experience the impairing effects of alcohol. Alcohol can begin to impair a Bellevue motorcyclist’s riding abilities even at lower BAC levels. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, alcohol can impact a motorcyclist at varying degrees.
A motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 to 0.04 may suffer from the following.
- Lower judgment
- Impaired ability to judge one’s own actions
- Slower reaction times
- Mild euphoria
A motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of between .05 and .07 may suffer severely impaired thinking and reasoning powers, and a lower ability to perform complex tasks.
A blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more significantly impairs a person's judgment and reasoning, and the person lacks the ability to perform even simple tasks without making mistakes. Motorcyclists at this level of intoxication are at the highest risk of accidents.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Riding under the influence of alcohol may impact your ability to recover damages after an accident. Under Washington’s liability insurance laws, a driver who causes a wreck is liable for damages. If you cause a wreck, you may be liable for other parties’ damages.
But if another driver – like an impaired passenger vehicle driver – causes your wreck, you may recover damages from that driver. Call 425-399-7000 to set up a consultation with Max Meyers Law. You can contact us online as well.
