Some holidays are known for binge drinking – St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day all come to mind, but a new one is on the rise. Blackout Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, has become a favorite holiday for alcohol consumption.

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

With college students coming back for the holiday and working adults having the next day off, Thanksgiving Eve is a night of reunions and celebration. Unfortunately, the increase in binge drinking has also led to a rise in drunk driving and drunk driving deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, in the past five years over 800 people have died in drunk driving crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That’s one-third of the total number of fatalities over the holiday.

This Thanksgiving holiday period, remember to drink responsibly. Take the time to line up a designated driver, order a cab or rideshare, or just walk. Be safe and make it to Thanksgiving dinner.

Support Sober Driving

Looking for ways to help keep the roads safe this Thanksgiving? Support NHTSA’s awareness initiative by posting with the hashtags #ThanksgivingEve and #DriveSober.

For more information about an Intoxalock ignition interlock device, call our state specialists at (833) 623-0200.