It’s no secret that the holidays bring out the booze. Family members that many people don’t see often come into town for the holiday, and that makes it a time for celebration. With so many holidays coming up soon, it’s important to understand how drinking could end up affecting you if you choose to get behind the wheel and drive. Since there is an increase in the number of people on the roads, drinking and driving is more likely to result in a crash and could lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
The night before Thanksgiving is called “Blackout Wednesday,” because many people arrive at their destinations and begin to party with friends and family. Since most people don’t work on Thanksgiving Day, they may drink more than usual. This sets people up for making mistakes, and those mistakes could take lives.
Even if Blackout Wednesday doesn’t result in a crash, drinking the rest of the weekend could. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous weekends of the year. Around 90 percent of people traveling in the United States for Thanksgiving do so by car, which is why it’s so important to avoid drinking before getting behind the wheel. You need to be vigilant to protect yourself and others.
When you head to a holiday party, it’s tempting to drink and still drive home later. Remember, there are plenty of alternatives, like taking a ride-sharing service or getting a ride home with friends and family. It’s not worth putting yourself or others in danger; be safe and stay off the roads.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Home for the Holiday, Time to Party,” Molly Baker, accessed Nov. 03, 2017
