I live on a mountain with hilly curvy roads. A few weeks ago there was a terrible accident at 2 a.m. on a weekend. A car, driven by an drunken 18 year old, not wearing a seat belt, crossed the line on a hill and hit another car head on. The teenager died and took his 15 year old friend in the front seat with him. The girl in the back seat and the driver in the other car were flown to the emergency room and physically survived. My first thought - why didn't someone step in and prevent that boy from driving. Of course, at a teenage party, no one would want to look "not cool."

When I see groups of bikers in a group drinking and laughing, I appreciate that they are having a great time and are loving the biker bonding. I fear for when they get back on their bikes, at night, with several drinks behind their belt. Have you even lost a friend or loved one to an alcohol related crash - motorcycle or car? Have you ever know anyone who has caused the death of another person because they were driving under the influence?

The National Highway Traffic Association motorcycle section has a pdf (2007) on the Effects of Alcohol on Motorcycle Riding Skills. This document states that "alcohol is a greater risk factor for fatal crashes involving motorcycles than other types of vehicle operation." 1 in 3 fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol. The risk of a fatal crash per vehicle mile traveled is 26 times greater for travel by motorcycle than by passenger car (NHTSA, 2003).

When we see a biker on the side of the road, we immediately want to offer assistance to help someone who is considered our comrade. When we see a biker that has been drinking, how many of us would think we should offer any assistance or alternative ways to get home. How could the rider leave his/her motorcycle in a public place overnight?

"Riders Helping Riders" is NHTSA instructional program to encourage riders to become involved if they see an intoxicated biker. The student guide provides many great suggestions and ideas to help you intervene if a friend, or a stranger is headed for trouble, that they may not realize at the time themselves.

Just as it is now become an accepted practice to run interference if a friend is unable to drive their car after drinking, I hope that the same solution can be accepted for bikers.