You love the feeling of freedom you get when you’re on your motorcycle. The wind in your hair, the open road, and the feeling of unbridled power over the pavement—it’s a special experience that’s hard to match. But with that power comes great responsibility, and one of those responsibilities is to never ride under the influence.
Riding a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be extremely dangerous and can have severe legal implications. Not only can impaired riding put you in danger, but it can also put everyone else on the road at risk. Let’s explore some of the risks associated with riding a motorcycle under the influence, both for yourself and for other motorists.
Reduced Reaction Time
When operating a motorcycle, your reaction time needs to be lightning-quick. After all, these vehicles are inherently more dangerous than cars, leaving you exposed and vulnerable to external conditions and dangers.
When someone rides a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction time is reduced significantly. This can lead to accidents and potentially fatal injuries as the rider cannot react quickly enough to potential hazards. Studies have shown that impairment from drugs or alcohol can reduce reaction times by up to 40%, making it significantly harder for riders to avoid serious accidents.
In addition to the physical risk of riding a motorcycle under the influence, there are also the legal implications of being caught. Most states have strict laws against driving under the influence, and being caught could result in hefty fines or jail time. The consequences of riding a motorcycle while impaired are not worth it—no matter how tempting it might be at the time.
Impaired Vision
Another thing you should know about riding a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is how it can impair your vision. Substance use can cause decreased visual acuity and visual field, making it harder to accurately assess the speed of oncoming vehicles or any other dangers in your path.
You should also be aware that when using drugs or alcohol, you may be more sensitive to bright light – this means that sunlight streaming through trees and clouds could become too bright for your eyes while on a motorcycle. This can cause temporary blindness, another danger of riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Effects on Depth Perception
Drugs and alcohol can also impact your depth perception, making it harder to judge distances while riding. This makes maneuvering around obstacles more hazardous, as well as staying in your lane and avoiding crashing into other vehicles.
Delayed Reaction Time
Finally, substance use is known to slow reaction time– especially dangerous when you’re on a motorcycle at high speeds. When you encounter obstacles or hazards suddenly, being affected by drugs or alcohol means a greater chance of serious injury if you can’t respond quickly enough.
Lack of coordination
You might have guessed it, but riding a motorcycle under the influence is not only illegal, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. One serious consequence of consuming drugs or alcohol while riding is that your coordination will be substantially diminished.
That means your ability to shift gears, turn corners, and brake when you need to will be significantly weaker—and that puts you and other drivers on the road in harm’s way.
What’s more, drugs and alcohol can slow reaction time, meaning that if another car cuts you off or someone crosses the street unexpectedly in front of you, it’s more likely that you won’t be able to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
And even if you don’t crash into a vehicle or person, poor coordination can lead to other problems, such as dropping your bike or running into a curb. That’s why it’s essential to understand the risks of riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol—you’re not just endangering yourself but putting others at risk.
Overconfidence
The fifth risk of riding a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is overconfidence. It’s natural to be more daring and reckless when riding under the influence, but this could cost your life.
Alcohol and drugs affect your decision-making, as well as your reaction time. You may perceive a situation differently and make a poor decision that can have devastating consequences. Not to mention, motorcyclists already face increased risk on the road due to decreased visibility and other factors.
It’s important to know that your abilities are impaired even when feeling more confident. Alcohol and drugs will slow down your reaction time, reducing your ability to make split-second decisions and your balance and coordination. Even if you don’t think you’re impaired, you still may not be able to make the best decisions in an emergency or have the necessary reflexes to react in time—increasing the likelihood of an accident or injury.
Overall, it’s best to avoid using any drug or alcohol while operating a motorcycle because even when feeling confident, it can lead to incredibly dangerous situations on the road where you don’t anticipate or react in time due to impairments caused by drugs or alcohol.
Higher Insurance Rates
Riding a motorcycle under the influence can put your safety and life at risk–but that’s not the only consequence. Did you know that if you get caught riding a motorcycle under the influence, even if it doesn’t result in an injury, your insurance rates are likely to increase?
Statistics show that riders with convictions for DUI or DWI associated with riding a motorcycle can expect a 25%-400% increase in their insurance premiums, depending on the severity and state of residence.
That’s because motorcyclists are already considered high-risk drivers by many insurers. Adding a DUI or DWI to the mix only stands to push rates even higher. Not to mention the fines associated with drinking and driving–which range from small fees up to thousands of dollars–plus community service hours and even jail time. Not worth it!
And if you don’t have insurance, well, let’s say that you will pay out of pocket if anything happens while on your bike under the influence. So remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when riding a motorcycle.
Contact A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Serving Hialeah
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Hialeah while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you should contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer serving Hialeah. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we understand what you’re going through and can help you explore your legal options.
Our team of attorneys serving Hialeah, Florida, has a deep understanding of Florida’s civil laws related to motorcycle accidents and is dedicated to getting justice for victims. We’ll ensure you’re taken care of, whether it be effective representation in the courtroom or working with insurance adjusters.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we take a comprehensive approach to each case and will work hard to:
- Secure a favorable settlement from your insurance company
- Find any liable parties who may have caused the accident
- Help you obtain medical treatment if needed
- Seek maximum compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain, and suffering
For more information about our legal services, please call us at (561) 800-8000 or visit our website for more information. We look forward to helping you get justice.