As millions of Americans gear up for Thanksgiving travel and gatherings, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. Experts from MADD are available for interviews to offer lifesaving safety tips and can discuss this nationwide public health crisis.
Impaired Driving Crashes Expected to Rise on Blackout Wednesday & Thanksgiving
With both holiday travel and impaired driving on the rise, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest and most dangerous times to be on the road. In addition, the night before Thanksgiving, often referred to as “Blackout Wednesday,” has become a popular night for socializing and drinking — but it also comes with a higher risk of impaired driving crashes. In 2022, 35% of fatal car crashes on Thanksgiving Eve involved drunk drivers, according to the latest data from NHTSA. During the Thanksgiving holiday, NHTSA reported 184 fatal traffic crashes that involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
MADD Offers Families & Drivers Thanksgiving Safety Tips:
MADD is calling on everyone to be aware of impaired driving on Thanksgiving — as millions travel to gather with families over the holiday.
- Plan Ahead and Never Drive Impaired: If you plan to drink over the Thanksgiving holiday, make a plan and do not get behind the wheel of a car or any recreational vehicle, including bikes, golf carts, or ATVs. When you are deciding where to celebrate, plan ahead and decide how you will arrive home, whether that’s by choosing a rideshare, designating a sober driver, or using public transportation.
- Hosts Can Be Proactive in Helping Guests Remain Safe: MADD encourages Thanksgiving hosts to play an active role in keeping everyone safe. By helping guests plan a safe way home or offering them a place to stay, hosts can significantly reduce the risk of impaired driving crashes and make this holiday season safer for all.
- If You Must Drive, Be Vigilant: Sober designated drivers should be extra alert on the roads, as more impaired drivers will be behind the wheel. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt, stick to the speed limit, and drive cautiously.
- Talk to Your Kids About Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving: Parents should have open and honest conversations with their children before Thanksgiving about the importance of making safe choices. MADD’s evidence-based Power of Parents Handbook is a proven resource for parents, offering strategies to safeguard their children to prevent underage drinking and ultimately impaired driving.
- Report Impaired Drivers Immediately: If you see a suspected impaired driver, alert law enforcement right away. With children and pedestrians flooding the streets, there's no margin for error.
