TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2008 (Thursday)
Officer Kristi Mitchell
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept. Reminds Motorcycle Operators to Always Ride Smart and Sober.
Over the past several years, the number of motorcyclists killed on our nation’s highways has increased. Some of these fatalities can be attributed to drinking and riding. Statistics show that the percentage of legally intoxicated motorcycle riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers of passenger cars, SUV’s or pick-up trucks. That’s why the Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept. is urging all motorcycle riders to always ride smart and sober.
“Most people fail to realize the extreme danger of riding a motorcycle while impaired, either after one drink or while intoxicated”, said Texarkana Arkansas Police Sgt. Michael McQuerrey. “It takes more balance and coordination to operate a motorcycle than it does to drive a car.”
It is against the law in every state to operate any type of motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher. Still, about 1,500 motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes each year are over the legal limit. According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), twenty-seven percent of all motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes in 2006 had BAC levels of .08 or higher. Research shows that even low doses of alcohol can have a negative effect on a motorcyclist’s ability to safely ride. In 2006, an additional 7 percent of motorcycle operators, who had lower alcohol levels of BAC .01 to .07 also died in traffic crashes.
“We continue to see far too many people die or suffer debilitating injuries as a result of impaired riding, particularly among middle aged riders and baby boomers,” said Sgt. McQuerrey. “People do things they regret when they’re drunk; riding a motorcycle should never be one of them.”
Of all age groups, motorcycle operators between 30 and 49 years old have the highest rates of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes. For more information about motorcycle safety, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.