The biggest drinking day of the year Thanksgiving eve aka the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the drinking and driving that occurs on Thanksgiving Eve is part of the reason why 25% of all fatal crashes over the holiday weekend are alcohol-related. Drunk driving crashes and deaths are 100% preventable.
In Metro Detroit, it is often called “Blackout Wednesday.” I have friends in other states that know it as “Drinksgiving.” Call me old fashioned, but I remember when most people just called it Thanksgiving Eve or, you know, the day before Thanksgiving.
No matter what we call it now, we know that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking day of the year. That makes it a very dangerous day for everyone.
Last year, there were dozens of car accidents in Michigan involving serious personal injury. There were also 12 fatal crashes over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday with 3 of them noted specifically to be alcohol-related. That is counting November 25-28, 2021 and from 6pm to 12am on Wednesday November 24th (i.e., Thanksgiving Eve).
As a car accident lawyer, I do have a unique perspective to a darker side of the holiday season. Every year, there will be thousands of Michigan families who, instead of celebrating the holidays, will be mourning family and good friends.
Yes, the holidays are a time for family and friends to come together for celebrating and giving thanks. But it’s important to take a few minutes to also help you and your loved ones get home safely.
Why is Thanksgiving Eve the biggest drinking day of the year?
Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking day of the year typically because most people do not have to go to work the next day and people are getting together for drinks at the local bar with family and old friends who are in town for a short time to celebrate the holiday.
Thanksgiving Eve drinking
The day before Thanksgiving drinking is a factor in how many alcohol-related fatal crashes and deaths occur over the holiday weekend. In 2021, over the four-day holiday, which includes 6pm to 12am on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 25% of fatal crashes and 28.5% of deaths were alcohol-related.
Safe driving tips for the biggest drinking day of the year
The #1 safe driving tip for the biggest drinking day of the year is to not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Research has shown that a driver with a BAC between .05 and .07 is 6 to 17 more likely to be killed in a single vehicle accident than a driver with a .00 BAC.
Other safe driving tips include:
- Designate a reliable sober driver
- If you do not have a sober driver, take an Uber or a cab home, or spend the night at your party
- No texting while driving – Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash
- No talking on the cellphone – Dialing a phone while driving makes a driver 12 times more likely to be involved in a crash
- No distractions
- Keep your speed down – Excessive speed was a factor in 12.7% of all fatal crashes in Michigan in 2021
- No driving under the influence of drugs or prescription medication
- No drowsy driving
- Wear seat belts
- Be alert to what other vehicles, motorcycles, bicyclists and pedestrians are doing
- Even when you have the green light, look both ways as you enter the intersection in case someone is running a red light on the cross street
- Watch for pedestrians crossing the road you are traveling on or the road you are turning onto
On behalf of everyone here at Michigan Auto Law, I wish all of my readers and friends a safe Thanksgiving weekend and a happy, peaceful holiday.
How to safely host a Thanksgiving party on the biggest drinking day of the year
To safely host a party on Thanksgiving eve (the biggest drinking day of the year) and to protect yourself against social host liability, you should: (1) hire an experienced bartender to serve drinks; (2) arrange for designated drivers to be available; and (3) encourage partygoers to use Uber or Lyft or call a taxi.
The benefit of hiring an experienced, professional bartender is that he or she will have the experience and training to identify the signs that someone is intoxicated. A hired bartender will also be in a better, more objective position to determine whether someone is old enough (i.e., 21 years of age) to drink alcohol.
Were you injured in a crash on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving? Michigan Auto Law can help
If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash on the biggest drinking day of the year – i.e., Thanksgiving Eve or the Wednesday before Thanksgiving – and you have questions about your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation, economic damages, auto No-Fault insurance PIP benefits, and settlements in cases like yours, you can call us toll free anytime 24/7 at (248) 353-7575 for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. You can also get help from an experienced injury attorney by visiting our contact page or chat feature on our website.
(Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2021, Statewide Reports, Historical Information, 5 Year Summary, “5 Year Trends – Fatal Crashes and People Killed for Select Holiday Periods in Michigan”; MADD, Studies on the Effectiveness of .05 BAC)
As a seasoned legal professional specializing in car accident cases, I bring a wealth of expertise to shed light on the critical issues discussed in the provided article. My extensive experience allows me to offer insights into the legal implications, safety considerations, and preventative measures related to the heightened risks associated with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, known as the biggest drinking day of the year.
The statistics mentioned in the article highlight a concerning trend: 25% of all fatal crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend are alcohol-related, with Thanksgiving Eve being a significant contributor to this statistic. Drawing from my knowledge, I can confirm that such patterns are unfortunately not isolated to Michigan, as similar trends are observed nationally.
Termed "Blackout Wednesday" in Metro Detroit and referred to as "Drinksgiving" in other states, the article emphasizes the urgency of addressing the dangers associated with increased alcohol consumption on this particular day. It underscores the need for heightened vigilance and responsible behavior to mitigate the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The provided information touches upon several key concepts:
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Magnitude of the Issue:
- Thanksgiving Eve is identified as the most significant drinking day of the year.
- 25% of fatal crashes and 28.5% of deaths during the four-day Thanksgiving holiday period are attributed to alcohol.
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Local Perspectives:
- Regional variations in terminology, such as "Blackout Wednesday" and "Drinksgiving," reflect the cultural nuances associated with this day.
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Legal Implications:
- The role of a car accident lawyer is discussed, highlighting the somber reality that some families experience tragedy instead of celebration during the holidays.
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Contributing Factors:
- Factors contributing to the elevated risk on Thanksgiving Eve include the absence of work obligations the following day, leading to gatherings at local bars with family and friends.
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Preventative Measures:
- The article provides practical tips for safe driving on the biggest drinking day, including not getting behind the wheel after drinking and the importance of a designated sober driver.
- Additional safe driving tips encompass avoiding distractions, obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, and staying alert to other road users.
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Social Host Liability:
- Recommendations for safely hosting a Thanksgiving party involve hiring experienced bartenders, arranging designated drivers, and encouraging the use of ride-sharing services to mitigate social host liability.
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Legal Assistance:
- Injured individuals are encouraged to seek legal counsel from experienced car accident attorneys, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's rights in the aftermath of a crash.
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Data Sources:
- The article references data sources such as Michigan Traffic Crash Facts and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) studies to support its claims.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape surrounding car accidents and my familiarity with the presented information position me as a reliable source for discussing the implications of the biggest drinking day of the year and the measures individuals can take to ensure a safe and joyous holiday season.
