Full Notification

2022 THANKSGIVING EVE
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 22, 2022
CONTACT:
Katherine McCoy, Management Analyst
[email protected]
707-778-4375

Refuse to Blackout This Thanksgiving Eve Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

Petaluma, Calif. — This Thanksgiving Eve, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with the Petaluma Police Department to make sure you make it to the Thanksgiving table. With the Thanksgiving holiday kicking off a very merry time of year, it’s essential to take some time to remember that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If your plans to celebrate include alcohol, plan for a sober driver. You may have heard of the popular trend during the Thanksgiving holiday, “Blackout Wednesday,” which occurs on the eve of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, this trend encourages the heavy consumption of alcohol, which is why we’re working hard to keep drunk drivers off the roads.

This Thanksgiving Eve falls on November 23, 2022. During this time, NHTSA and its partners will work together to remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. NHTSA’s goal is to deliver lifesaving messages into the public conversation and to encourage positive actions that can help reduce impaired driving on the roadways. Remember: Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah, where the BAC limit is .05. If you are drunk, or even buzzed, hand the keys to a sober friend instead of driving yourself home.

“We know that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a popular time for people to head to the hometown bars and celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season,” said Traffic Sergeant Walt Spiller. “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.”

Drunk-driving-related crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. According to 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.

Celebrate with a Plan
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 service or call a taxi or sober friend to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Petaluma Police Department.
• 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.