Alcohol affects people differently. A heavy drinker may show few physical signs of drunkenness, but the effect on the brain is the same as it is for a light drinker. A motorcyclist showing no outward signs of intoxication may still be unable to ride safely. A physically large person can have two drinks and only be affected moderately, while a smaller person could become quite intoxicated on the same amount. Smaller people have less blood in their system, so after one drink the percentage of alcohol in their blood, or their blood alcohol concentration (BAC), will be higher than it would be for a larger person. A BAC of .10 means that the blood system contains about 1/10 of 1% of alcohol. In most states, a person with a BAC of .10 is legally intoxicated; impairment, however, starts long before this BAC is reached. Some states have a lower BAC for motorcyclists to be considered legally intoxicated. Once a person's BAC is at any level, it can only be reduced by allowing the liver time to oxidize the alcohol. Showers and coffee don't make you sober. Only time will do that. Showers and coffee may make a person feel more awake, but they don't reduce drunkenness. Are alcohol and drugs the same? Call (800) 446-9227 for the rider course nearest you. Back to Impairment | 
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