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Ways to protect yourself from drunk and impaired drivers while on your motorcycle
Know your surroundings
If you are riding in areas with a lot of restaurants and bars know that the odds of impaired drivers go up. After sporting events be particularly aware of the possibility.
Limit your riding at night
The number of drunk driving incidents goes up the later it gets. So be aware of this especially riding at night. On a motorcycle you are harder to see at night so when you mix that with meeting an impaired driver, it is even harder for them to see you and make a judgment of where you are on the road.
Be especially aware around the holidays
Christmas parties, 4th of July celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day, or any other holiday gives people an excuse to celebrate and they often get in their car and drive home afterward. Be aware of holidays.
Keep time and space between you and other vehicles
Time and space buy us time to react to hazards on the roads. It gives the impaired driver more time to see you but more importantly gives you time to react to them.
Keep your head and eyes moving
So you can see the drunk driver before they see you. If you can see the impaired driver before they see you, you will almost always have the advantage to avoid injury.
Ask “What if” then have a plan in place to deal with it.
This is a road strategy at all times but is especially helpful when dealing with impaired drivers.
Keep impaired drivers in front of you.
If you have the choice of having the impaired driver in front of you or behind you…you want to be far back and behind the impaired driver. Don’t let their mistakes on the road have a direct impact on your safety.
Ride safe,
Kevin
