Avoiding Drinks This Thanksgiving Holiday May Seem Hard but Could Save Lives
The Thanksgiving Holiday has quickly become one of the deadliest times of year on American roadways. The day before Thanksgiving has become known in some circles as “Blackout Wednesday” while Thanksgiving itself has been transformed into “Danksgiving” or “Drinksgiving.” What may seem like harmless fun ends in tragedy for families across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “From 2013 to 2017, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it the deadliest holiday on our roadways.”
Excessive alcohol use is always dangerous, but with the increased amount of traffic on the roads, it is particularly deadly during this time of the year. The best bet is always to stay sober or designate a sober driver if you plan on drinking. For those in recovery, boycotting drinking events is generally the best way to avoid triggers and prevent relapse. This holiday focus on your loved ones. Thanksgiving does not have to end in devastation. NHTSA and others have organized social awareness campaigns like “Even One Empty Seat at the Table is Too Many” and “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” to educate the public about the dangerous of drinking and driving. Join the movement to #BoycottBlackoutWednesday and #DitchDrinksgiving to promote a fun, safe holiday.
According to NHTSA, “In 2017, more than one out of every three traffic fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday period involved an alcohol-impaired driver.” The statistics are shocking. These tragedies are preventable. Encourage friends and family members to join you in sobriety and make sure that everyone gets home safely.