The Facts about Intoxicated Biking
Anyone who has some experience with a motorcycle knows that, as enjoyable as this mode of transportation is, it does carry a certain level of danger. Bikers are not well protected the way passengers in four-wheel vehicles are, leaving them vulnerable to severe lacerations, spinal cord damage, and other major injuries. This is hardly new information for bikers.
In light of that, it is difficult to understand why so many people around the nation continue to ride their motorcycles or scooters while intoxicated. In fact, studies have suggested that bikers are statistically more likely to operate their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol than drivers. They are certainly more likely than drivers to suffer major injuries while intoxicated.
Tragic Statistics
Studies clearly reveal the dangers of drunk biking. A few of the more shocking facts are:
- Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents; about 40% of single-vehicle crashes and nearly 30% of all biker fatalities are alcohol-related.
- While drunk driving has been on the decline in the US, the rate of intoxicated motorcycle riding has increased since 1983.
- Over 5,000 bikers were killed and 103,000 injured in accidents in 2007. Alcohol was a contributing factor in a large percentage of these accidents.
Perhaps the problem is that intoxicated biking simply does not get the same level of attention that drunk driving tends to. Many people think that the small size and maneuverability of a bike makes it safer than a car, or that they are only putting themselves in danger when they drink before riding.
These assumptions are both false. An intoxicated biker can injure or kill other bikers, drivers, or pedestrians. In addition, because alcohol affects balance and muscle coordination, trying to operate a motorcycle under its influence is extremely dangerous. Iowa motorcycle attorney Pete Leehey of the Pete Leehey Law Firm, P.C. can provide additional information about bike safety and related laws.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured by an intoxicated motorcyclist, you need legal guidance from an experienced Iowa motorcycle injury lawyer. Contact Pete Leehey today at 877-209-9452.