A new study shows: One in three motorcyclists who died in crashes were under the influence of alcohol
A third of motorcyclists who died in crashes during a five-year period examined by the Irish Road Safety Authority (RSA), consumed alcohol before the collision – Findings emerge from detailed analysis of data from 2008 to 2012
And, of these, almost half were four times over the current legal blood/alcohol concentration (BAC).
The findings have emerged from a detailed RSA analysis of data from 2008 to 2012 assembled by the Garda for forensic collision investigation reports which are compiled after every major road crash. A total of 867 fatal crash reports were analyzed to find out what caused the crashes or contributed to them. During the period examined, 1,077 people died in road crashes.
Some key findings
- Of the 867 crashes examined, 93 (i.e. 11%) involved a motorcyclist and resulted in the deaths of 96 people and the injury of a further seven.
- Of those, 29% had consumed alcohol before their crash and 71% of those were over the current BACÂ limit (almost half were four times over the limit).
- Nearly a third of motorcyclists killed in crashes were under the influence of alcohol – and 45% of those were four times over the limit.
- Motorcyclists aged between 25 and 34 years are the most likely to have consumed alcohol.
- Sunday evenings between 5pm and 6pm is the most dangerous time for motorcyclists who have used alcohol.
