Do drinking and riding mix? Effects of legal doses of alcohol on balance ability in experienced motorcyclists

The appropriateness of applying drink driving legislation to motorcycle riding has been questioned as there may be fundamental differences in the effects of alcohol on these two activities. For example, while the distribution of blood alcohol content (BAC) levels among fatally injured male drivers compared to riders is similar, a greater proportion of motorcycle fatalities involve levels in the lower (0 to .10% BAC) range. Several psychomotor and higher-order cognitive skills underpinning riding performance appear to be significantly influenced by low levels of alcohol. For example, at low levels (.02 to .046% BAC), riders show significant increases in reaction time to hazardous stimuli, inattention to the riding task, performance errors such as leaving the roadway and a reduced ability to complete a timed course. It has been suggested that alcohol may redirect riders’ focus from higher-order cognitive skills to more physical skills such as maintaining balance. As part of a research program to investigate the potential benefits of introducing a zero, or reduced, BAC for all riders in Queensland regardless of their licence status, the effects of low doses of alcohol on balance ability were investigated in a laboratory setting. The static balance of ten experienced riders was measured while they performed either no secondary task, a visual search task, or a cognitive (arithmetic) task following the administration of alcohol (0; 0.02, and 0.05% BAC). Subjective ratings of intoxication and balance impairment increased in a dose-dependent manner; however, objective measures of static balance were negatively affected only at the .05% BAC dose. Performance on a concurrent secondary visual search task, but not a purely cognitive (arithmetic) task, improved postural stability across all BAC levels. Finally, the .05% BAC dose was associated with impaired performance on the cognitive (arithmetic) task, but not the visual search task, when participants were balancing, but neither task was impaired by alcohol when participants were standing on the floor. Implications for road safety and future ‘drink riding’ policy considerations are discussed.

State laws on early license revocation for driving while under the influence.

Mode of access: Internet.

Alcohol and highway safety - professional papers on state and federal driver licensing programs.

Mode of access: Internet.

Review of legal literature--published between July 1974 and July 1978. Pertaining to alcohol and drug involvement in highway safety.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Driver and Pedestrian Safety, Washington, D.C.

Alcohol safety program progress. Volume 1: nature and scope of the national program.

Mode of access: Internet.

Alcohol safety program progress. Volume 2: state program progress.

Mode of access: Internet.

Alcohol and highway safety 1978: a review of the state of knowledge (summary volume).

Mode of access: Internet.

Alcohol, drugs and traffic safety. Proceedings.

Mode of access: Internet.

Effects of low doses of alcohol on driving-related skills: a review of the evidence.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Driver education unit - alcohol and driving: "alcohol is a crash diet."".

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Arrest procedures for driving while intoxicated. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Driver and Pedestrian Research, Washington, D.C.

Baltimore Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Driver and Pedestrian Programs, Washington, D.C.

Notable papers on alcohol and highway safety - 1984.

Mode of access: Internet.

Field assessment of social learning approach to teaching adolescents about alcohol and driving. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Attitudinal and behavioral changes of alcohol impaired drivers and analytical study of the alcohol education program of the Boston Alcohol Safety Action Project. Analytical studies 5 and 6.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.