INDIANAPOLIS – With more people on the roadways during the Thanksgiving holiday, there is greater potential for crashes. That is why the Indiana State Police (ISP) is joining law enforcement agencies from across the state to help make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.
“We expect to see a lot of traffic on the roads. Make smart decisions by not mixing drinking and driving,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Be proactive and plan for a sober driver.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving weekend. In 2021, 190 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during the holiday travel period.
The issue is made worse by Thanksgiving Eve, also known as “Drinksgiving” or “Blackout Wednesday.” On that day, there is an increase in overconsumption of alcohol.
NHTSA says that from November 2017 to November 2021, 137 drivers nationwide were involved in fatal alcohol-impaired crashes on the night before Thanksgiving. In 2021 alone, 36 drivers in fatal crashes were alcohol impaired.
ISP officers will be on the roads on high alert for impaired drivers on Wednesday night and throughout the weekend. Motorists are encouraged to plan to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
