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

[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.

"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." '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]

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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.