MAG - Motorcycle Action Group

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MAG Position - Alcohol

The current level of blood-alcohol is 80 microgrammes per millilitre of blood. Guidelines from the Health Education Authority say that some people will reach this limit after drinking three units of alcohol, i.e. 1 1/2 pints of average strength beer ('average strength' being taken as 3-4% of alcohol by volume). This does not mean that it is safe to drink 1 1/2 pints and then ride home as bodyweight, sex, drinking patterns, and food intake all have effects on the speed that alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream.

Alcohol is a depressant. This means that it slows the reaction times and skills of a person who has had a drink. It takes the average person 1 hour to clear 1 unit of alcohol from their system. This means that after a 5 pint drinking session, it will be at least 10 hours before the average person is completely sober.

The risks involved in drinking and riding are severe. 15,000 people are killed or injured every year in drink related accidents, and 20% of those are motorcycle riders. 100 000 drivers and riders lost their licence in 1991, and the current ban is 12 months, minimum. You would then have to sit an extended test to regain your licence, and the cost of insurance will at least treble for up to 15 years after prosecution. You will also get a criminal record [see table below].

You do not need to be over the limit of blood alcohol to be prosecuted. Even if you pass the breath test, if the police can prove you are unfit to drive. The penalties for driving while unfit are the same as driving while over the limit.

The figures given above are approximate, and you should remember the only safe limit is not to drink.

Penalties for drink-drive offences.