November 22, 2022:  The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office announces county-wide increased driving under the influence enforcement efforts for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend beginning Wednesday November 23^rd.  Motorist will see an increased law enforcement presence on the roads this weekend.   

The Thanksgiving Holiday weekend is once again upon us.  That means family gatherings, feasting on turkey, and lots of football to watch.  For many, it also means heading out Wednesday night to meet friends we haven’t seen in a while.  The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a popular time for people to head to bars and celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season.  Unfortunately, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving has also earned reputation for being “Blackout Wednesday”. 

What is “Blackout Wednesday”?  Statistically, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the days during the year that sees the most alcohol related arrests and accidents.  It rivals New Years and the 4^th of July for the number of alcohol related arrests. “Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving Eve celebration has become a particularly dangerous night on the roads. We want our drivers to take Blackout Wednesday seriously. This is a dangerous trend. Driving under the influence is deadly and illegal, and no one should ever take that risk.” said District Attorney Seán M. McCormack.  

Drunk-driving-related crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2016 to 2020, 138 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were alcohol-impaired. Young people are particularly at risk: Drivers ages 21-24 represented the largest percentage (44%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2016-2020 on Thanksgiving Eve.

The bottom line is this: If you know you’re headed out for a night of drinking, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. It is never safe to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk or otherwise impaired.  Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. -District Attorney Sean M. McCormack

Plan ahead:  If you’re planning to head out to the bar or to parties on Thanksgiving Eve, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a safe night out.

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use a ride sharing service or call a taxi or sober friend to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the police.  Your call could save a life!
• Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

By working together, we can save lives and help keep America’s roadways safe. Please join us in sharing the lifesaving message Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving during the holiday weekend.

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.