A person who is age 21 or older with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is considered legally intoxicated. It is illegal and dangerous to operate any motor vehicle while intoxicated.

The visual outline of a motorcycle is much smaller than that of a car, so it is easy for other road users to not notice you when you are on a motorcycle.

The best way to deal with a tailgater is to let them get in front of you. If you can do so safely, change lanes and let the tailgater pass. Riding faster may only increase the danger by prompting them to continue tailgating you at the higher speed.

To reduce the risk of a collision when riding at night, be sure to reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Use the headlights of vehicles ahead of you to see farther down the road. You should always be flexible about your lane position, especially when riding at night.

Shifting to a lower gear causes an effect similar to using the brakes. For this reason, downshifting is also known as engine braking.

A motorcycle passenger needs to understand how to ensure a safe ride ride for both themselves and the operator. An operator should never assume the passenger already knows what to do. Give a passenger complete instructions before every ride.

Leather jackets and pants provide the greatest level of protection when riding.

No matter the speed, riders who are not wearing helmets are three times more likely to die from head injuries than riders who are wearing helmets at the time of a crash.

Pre-ride motorcycle inspections are an important part of ensuring safe riding. Hydraulic fluids and coolants should be checked at least once a week.

You should use both brakes every time you slow or stop.

A motorcycle requires more frequent attention than a car. Make a complete check of your motorcycle before every ride.

When riding, sit so that you can use your arms to control the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up. Your arms should be slightly bent when you hold the handgrips. To help maintain your balance, keep your knees against the gas tank and your feet firmly on the footrests.

When turning, look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

Motorcycles have blind spots just like any other vehicle. Always turn your head and look over your shoulder to check for traffic in your blind spot before changing lanes.

To reduce the risk of being involved in a crash, you should always ensure that you are visible to others. Communicate your intentions through proper use of your signals, brake light, and lane position. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle and consistently scan the road ahead of, behind, and next to your vehicle.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on short trips that are less than five miles long at speeds slower than 30 miles per hour.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on trips shorter than five miles, just a few minutes after the rider starts out.

To reduce the risk of a collision, always allow merging vehicles plenty of space to safely enter traffic. Change lanes away from the entrance ramp if there is room to do so safely. If there isn't another lane available, adjust your speed to open up space for the merging driver.

Intersections present the greatest potential for conflict between motorcyclists and other drivers. Riders should use extra caution when approaching and riding through intersections.

As your weight shifts forward while you are braking, the amount of traction available to the front wheel increases. This means that you can begin to apply the front brake harder.

All passing maneuvers must be completed within the posted speed limits and only in areas where passing is safe and legal.

You should not ride alongside another motorcyclist because doing so will limit both of your possible routes of escape if you encounter a hazard.

Before transporting a passenger or heavy load in traffic for the first time, practice riding on a quiet road to get used to how your motorcycle handles differently with the additional weight.

An increased following distance is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and another driver may try to squeeze in front of you, open up to a minimum three-second following distance.

When marijuana is smoked, it can begin to affect the smoker within minutes and effects can last for between two and four hours. When marijuana is eaten, it may take over an hour to begin to affect the consumer, but the effects of the marijuana may last for more than six hours.