IDOT, motorcycle groups and law enforcement work together to
reinforce 'Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over'
Crash data
reveals a high percentage of motorcyclists driving drunk on Illinois
roadways in late afternoon
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[August 08, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois
Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and motorcycle
safety advocates have joined forces to remind Illinois motorcyclists
that mixing alcohol and motorcycle riding can lead to tragic
results. The "Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign is paying
close attention to motorcycle riders, as Illinois crash data reveals
that the percentage of drunk motorcycle riders -- motorcycle
operators with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher -- involved
in fatal crashes during late afternoon and early evening hours is
more than double that of drunk drivers of any other type of
passenger vehicle.
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"The data indicates that many people are riding drunk in late
afternoon, and we must put a stop to this trend before more lives
are lost on Illinois roadways," said Illinois Transportation
Secretary Ann L. Schneider. "‘Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over’ is a
very simple, lifesaving message for these individuals. Their
behavior is dangerous and is criminal, and law enforcement officers
will continue to find them and arrest them." IDOT and National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that for the time
frame from 3 to 5:59 p.m. (see chart below), 15 percent of
motorcycle fatalities involve a drunk rider, compared with 6 percent
of passenger vehicle fatalities during the same time. Data shows
6-8:59 p.m. to be even worse, as 24 percent of motorcycle fatalities
during that time involve a drunk rider, compared with 11 percent of
passenger cars.
"Whether you are traveling in a vehicle or riding on a
motorcycle, safety should be the number one priority," said Illinois
State Police Col. Michael Zerbonia. "Every second counts when it
comes to road safety, and our officers will be enforcing all traffic
laws and reminding motorists that seat belts save lives."
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In 2012 in Illinois, 148 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle
crashes. That was a slight increase from 2011 motorcycle fatalities,
when 145 motorcyclists lost their lives. Motorcycle riders continue
to be overrepresented in Illinois motor vehicle crash fatalities. In
2012, motorcycles made up 3 percent of all registered motor
vehicles, yet motorcycle riders represented more than 15 percent of
all motor vehicle fatalities.
"When motorcyclists fail to make smart choices, their decisions
may have fatal results," said Bruce Liebe, president of the Lincoln
Land Chapter of A.B.A.T.E., A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education.
For more information on motorcycle safety and drunk driving in
Illinois, visit
startseeingmotorcycles.org or
drivesoberillinois.org.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Transportation file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
Illinois passenger vehicle and motorcycle fatalities involving
drunk drivers by time of day
(2007-2011)
Time of day
|
Total motor vehicle
fatalities involving a
drunk driver* |
Percent of total motor
vehicle fatalities
involving a
drunk driver* |
Total
motorcycle fatalities
involving a
drunk rider** |
Percent of total motorcycle
fatalities
involving a
drunk rider** |
Midnight-2:59 a.m. |
422 |
34% |
41 |
19% |
3-5:59 a.m. |
237 |
19% |
22 |
10% |
6-8:59 a.m. |
54 |
4% |
6 |
3% |
9-11:59 a.m. |
27 |
2% |
7 |
3% |
Noon-2:59 p.m. |
36 |
3% |
8 |
4% |
3-5:59 p.m. |
68 |
6% |
32 |
15% |
6-8:59 p.m. |
137 |
11% |
52 |
24% |
9-11:59 p.m. |
244 |
20% |
45 |
21% |
Totals |
1,225 |
100% |
213 |
100% |
* Fatalities involving at least one passenger vehicle driver with
a BAC of 0.08 or greater
**Fatalities involving at least one motorcycle rider (operator)
with a BAC of 0.08 or greater
Note: For purposes of this report, a passenger vehicle is any
vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that is licensed to operate on
Illinois public roadways.
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