Open The Throttle, Not The Bottle

NEWINGTON –– The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Safety launched a statewide motorcycle rider impairment campaign at the 6th Annual Northeast Motorcycle Expo in Hartford on January 3–4.

Funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Open the Throttle, Not the Bottle” aims to bring awareness to the percentage of impairment-related motorcycle crashes, as well as encourage safe motorcycle riding practices.

Last year in Connecticut, 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol.

“This percentage is unacceptable,” said Raymond C. Gaulin, Jr, highway safety management specialist with the Department of Transportation. “The state’s motorcycle rider program addresses the importance of riding sober. However, its main purpose is to teach riders about overall motorcycle safety. The ‘Open the Throttle, Not the Bottle’ campaign is meant to specifically address impairment, as well as communicate the impact of alcohol, drugs, and fatigue on riding ability. Ultimately, our goal is to change behavior.”

The program targets men ages 25 to 40, who account for the largest number of riders on Connecticut roadways.