Alcohol Sermon

You may or may not know that my husband and I own a sexy Ducati Monster. It’s light; it’s fast; it’s the most fun you can have with a motorized vehicle, assuming you have only one person’s meager salary to spend. This post isn’t about our motorcycle, however. It’s a reminder to all my friends and family who own bikes or are thinking about buying bikes that alcohol and motorcycle riding do not mix. Ever.

“Preacher” Dave Preston recently published an excellent article on Sound Rider about the involvement of alcohol in fatal accidents. He really does his reasearch, and let me tell you - it ain’t pretty.

“Would a mandatory helmet law reduce the number of fatalities?” I asked.

The AC [Assistant Coronor] looked me straight in the eye as he composed his response. “A good helmet would certainly protect the brain,” he said,” but that won’t help the rider much when the head comes off the body.” He was being serious. I got a little queasy thinking about times I had ridden after a drink or two.

Dave is not your over-cautious “safetycrat.” He’s an avid rider who simply lays it on the line, using well-researched statistics, interviews with experts and his years of riding experience. Before you think about downing even one beer at a holiday party and hopping on your bike, I’d encourage you to take to heart what Dave is preaching from the pulpit.

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