Delaware: Additional rider fitness decisions: Practice 1

A rider spaces alcoholic drinks an hour apart and plans to ride home. What is wrong with treating that schedule as proof of safety?

Correct answer: Alcohol and impaired abilities may remain despite that schedule.

Alcohol effects vary, and a simple hourly rule does not establish that the rider is unimpaired. Do not turn drink counts or elapsed time into a guaranteed safe-to-ride calculation.

Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12); PDF page 44, printed page 35; Blood Alcohol Concentration. ↗

You have started a new prescription medicine and do not know how it affects you. When should you ride?

Correct answer: Wait until its effects on safe vehicle operation are understood.

NHTSA advises against driving until you know a new medicine’s effect on judgment, coordination and reaction time. Follow its warnings; do not use a traffic ride as the test.

Source: NHTSA, Dangers of Driving After Taking Prescription Drugs or Over-the-Counter Medicines; Antidepressants, opioids, and other prescription drugs may cause impairment. ↗

A medicine warns against operating heavy machinery. Does that warning include riding a motorcycle?

Correct answer: Yes; the warning also applies to operating a motor vehicle.

NHTSA explains that heavy-machinery warnings include vehicle operation. Do not dismiss a warning because the motorcycle is small or the trip is familiar.

Source: NHTSA, Dangers of Driving After Taking Prescription Drugs or Over-the-Counter Medicines; Antidepressants, opioids, and other prescription drugs may cause impairment. ↗