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44
– Four drinks over the span of two
hours, you would have at least two
(4 – 2 = 2) drinks remaining in your
system at the end of the two hours. You
would need at least another two hours
to eliminate the two remaining drinks
before you consider riding.
There are times when a larger
person may not accumulate as high
a concentration of alcohol for each
drink consumed. They have more
blood and other bodily fluids. But
because of individual differences it
is better not to take the chance that
abilities and judgment have not been
affected. Whether or not you are
legally intoxicated is not the real issue.
Impairment of judgment and skills
begins well below the legal limit.
aLCOhOL aND the LaW
In all states, an adult with a BAC
of 0.08% or above is considered
intoxicated. For operators under the age
of 21, lower BAC limits (0.00 to 0.02%,
depending on state) apply. It doesn't
matter how sober you may look or act.
The breath or urine test is what usually
determines whether you are riding
legally or illegally.
Your chances of being stopped for
riding under the influence of alcohol are
increasing. Law enforcement is being
stepped up across the country in response
to the senseless deaths and injuries caused
by drinking drivers and riders.
Consequences of Conviction
Years ago, first offenders had a good
chance of getting off with a small fine
and participation in alcohol-abuse
classes. Today the laws of most states
impose stiff penalties on drinking
operators. And those penalties are
mandatory, meaning that judges must
impose them.
beinginshaPetoride
If you are convicted of riding under
the influence of alcohol or drugs,
you may receive any of the following
penalties:
• License Suspension — Mandatory
suspension for conviction, arrest or
refusal to submit to a breath test.
• Fines — Severe fines are another
aspect of a conviction, usually levied
with a license suspension.
• Community Service — Performing
tasks such as picking up litter along
the highway, washing cars in the
motor-vehicle pool or working at an
emergency ward.
• Costs — Additional lawyer's fees,
lost work time spent in court or
alcohol-education programs, public
transportation costs (while your
license is suspended) and the added
psychological costs of being tagged
a "drunk driver."
MiNiMiZe the riSKS
Your ability to judge how well you
are riding is affected first. Although
you may be performing more and more
poorly, you think you are doing better
and better. The result is that you ride
confidently, taking greater and greater
risks. Minimize the risks of drinking and
riding by taking steps before you drink.
Control your drinking or control your
riding.
Make an Intelligent Choice
Don't Drink — Once you start, your
resistance becomes weaker.
Setting a limit or pacing yourself are
poor alternatives at best. Your ability to
exercise good judgment is one of the
first things affected by alcohol. Even if
you have tried to drink in moderation,
you may not realize to what extent
your skills have suffered from alcohol's
fatiguing effects.
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