Increase in Drunk Drivers Expected Night Before Thanksgiving
The night before Thanksgiving has become known as “Blackout Wednesday” for some party goers choosing to kick off the holiday weekend with drinking. Celebrations may come at a cost, as law enforcement gears up for one of the busiest times on American roadways. The Thanksgiving holiday sees a significant increase in fatal drunk driving crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 800 alcohol-related traffic fatalities from 2013-2017 during the Thanksgiving weekend. According to NHTSA, during the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend “nearly one in three traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver.”
Unfortunately, nights like “Blackout Wednesday” do little to ease the fears of law enforcement. The night before Thanksgiving has become notoriously dangerous as people drink excessively to celebrate the long weekend or time home from college. NHTSA recommends two easy rules to follow this Thanksgiving to keep you and your loved ones safe:
- Buckle Up
- Don’t Drink and Drive
It may seem simple but doing these things would save numerous lives every year. Making sure that everyone gets home this holiday should be at the top of your wish list. If you want to celebrate with adult beverages, be sure to designate a sober driver, use public transportation or take a shared ride. Plan ahead and make this Thanksgiving the safest yet for your friends and family. Law enforcement will be increasing patrols and having additional checkpoints throughout the holiday weekend to ensure that our roadways remain safe.