Alcohol, Drugs and Impaired Riding
Riding impaired by alcohol or drugs - including some prescription and over-the-counter medicines - is a major cause of serious collisions. Alcohol reduces judgement, slows reactions, impairs balance and vision, and gives a false sense of confidence; on a motorcycle, where balance is critical, the effect is magnified. Bermuda has strict drink-driving laws, and the legal limit is low; the safest rule is not to drink at all if you are riding. Drugs, including cannabis and some antihistamines or painkillers, can cause drowsiness and slowed reactions. If you are taking medication, read the label and ask a pharmacist whether it affects driving. Traps: questions that suggest a small amount of alcohol is safe, that coffee or a cold shower sobers you up (they do not - only time removes alcohol), or that you can 'ride it off'. Another trap is the assumption that impairment only matters at night; it affects you at any hour. Fatigue is also impairment: tiredness slows reaction times and can cause micro-sleeps, so take breaks on longer rides.
Worked rule of thumb: If you have had any alcohol, do not ride - arrange another way home. If a medicine label warns 'may cause drowsiness', do not ride until you know how it affects you.