Veterinary and human toxicology
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Alcohol's effects on balance and motor coordination would be expected to have greater consequences for motorcycle riders than car/truck drivers. Driving while intoxicated/under the influence (DWI) reports for 1984 and 1985 from the San Antonio, TX, Police Department were reviewed to evaluate motorcycle DWIs, and to compare them with car/truck DWIs. During the 2-y period there were 100 DWI reports involving motorcycle riders, which were compared to 100 involving car/truck drivers. ⋯ Breath alcohol testing demonstrated a significantly lower blood alcohol concentration in motorcycle riders, 0.14 +/- 0.05 g/dL, than in car/truck drivers, 0.16 +/- 0.05 g/dL (p = 0.016). The results of this study suggest that alcohol influences motorcycle riders to a greater extent than it does car/truck drivers. Further data is needed to determine whether lower blood alcohol concentration limits should be considered for the definition of "driving while impaired" in motorcycle riders.