With nicknames like “Blackout Wednesday” and “Drinksgiving,” the night before Thanksgiving has long carried a reputation for excessive drinking. But the danger extends far beyond the evening before the holiday—Thanksgiving weekend remains one of the deadliest travel periods of the year due to impaired driving.

Heavy traffic, alcohol-fueled celebrations, bar crawls, and drug use all contribute to a sharp rise in drunk and drug-impaired driving crashes during the holiday. According to AAA, the combination of crowded roads and impaired motorists creates a dangerous mix.

“With over 73 million Americans expected to be on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety and avoid impaired driving,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “This time of year can be particularly deadly on the roads.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2019 to 2023, 868 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities—accounting for 35% of all fatalities in traffic crashes during that holiday period. Officials note that these deaths were entirely preventable.

NHTSA data also shows that drivers involved in fatal nighttime crashes are four times more likely to be impaired than those involved in deadly daytime crashes.

The threat extends beyond motorists and passengers. Impaired drivers also endanger law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and emergency responders working along the roadside.

“Driving while impaired, whether buzzed, drunk or otherwise impaired is never acceptable,” Noble said. “The risk to yourself, passengers and others on the roadway is far too great, especially when easy and safe alternatives are available.”

AAA and its traffic safety partners continue working year-round to combat impaired driving. The organization recently announced a collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) aimed at:

• Reducing impaired-driving deaths by 20% within five years.

• Increasing public education on the dangers of impaired driving.

• Supporting safety initiatives like “Holiday Booze It & Lose It” and “Click It or Ticket.”

• Advocating for safer roads, stricter laws, and anti-drunk-driving technology in vehicles.

• Expanding joint efforts with law enforcement, including sobriety checkpoints.

AAA is urging holiday travelers to take steps to keep Thanksgiving weekend safe:

• Remember: Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

• Never let someone drive while impaired.

• Always wear a seatbelt.

• Report suspected impaired drivers to law enforcement.

• Plan ahead—assign a sober driver or arrange a rideshare before drinking begins.

• If you host a holiday gathering, offer non-alcoholic options and ensure guests get home safely.

• Allow time for alcohol to leave your system; coffee and cold showers do not speed the process.

“With so many options making it easy to avoid driving after drinking, it doesn’t make sense to take a life-endangering chance,” Noble added. “Plan ahead and choose a designated driver or call a ride-share service and get home safely.”