WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SCENES OF A SHOCKING NATURE - please consider this before you view.
Motorcyclists are being urged not to allow themselves to ‘drink-and-ride’ after a UK police force released video footage of the shocking moment a drunk motorcyclist ploughs into a car head-on.
In the clip, which occurred in Stevenage in March, a car equipped with a dash cam is seen to be moving slowly in a residential area when a motorcyclist approaches from the other direction and veers into its path to collect it straight on.
The occupants of the car were uninjured, but the motorcyclist – who was two times over the drink-drive limit - was seriously hurt. He survived but is now going through a criminal court process.
Warnings ahead of the Christmas period
It’s common knowledge drink-related incidents behind the wheel of a car rise during the upcoming festive period, but the same principle applies to motorcyclists as well, advice police are now eager to get across in addition to the annual message aimed predominately at car drivers.
“We are releasing this footage in the hope it brings some reality, particularly to motorcyclists, of the serious consequences of being over the limit,” said PC David Burstow of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit.
“The rider put himself, the occupants of the car and other road users at risk and this is not acceptable.
“I appreciate he is now paying for his actions not only through the courts but through the injuries he has suffered. The message from us is clear – do not drink and drive.”
The video of the incident can be watched here
WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SCENES OF A SHOCKING NATURE - please consider this before you view.
What is the UK drink-drive/drink-ride limit?
Alcohol limit England and Wales
80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath
107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine
The likelihood of failing a breathalyser has to consider factors as weight, gender and metabolism, making it hard to quantify this in units or an amount you can drink. However, two pints or two glasses of wine would be considered past the legal limit for anyone.
