Blackout Wednesday is one of the biggest bar nights of the year. With this influx of bar traffic and binge drinking comes a substantially increased risk for drunk-driving accidents in Michigan.
In this guide, we will explain the origins of Blackout Wednesday, the risks that this unofficial holiday poses to Michigan drivers, and the ways that you can help prevent intoxicated car accidents this “Drinksgiving”.
The Origin of Blackout Wednesday
The term Blackout Wednesday is relatively new, but the tradition of going out to local bars and drinking heavily the night before Thanksgiving has been happening for decades.
The origins of this unofficial holiday can be traced back to college students. As young scholars return home for the holidays, the night before Thanksgiving presents an opportunity to catch up with high school friends, share some drinks, and reminisce.
Eventually, bars and restaurants caught on to the influx of college-aged drinkers on this night and leaned into the tradition. It is now common to see discounted drinks, live music, and other special offerings on Blackout Wednesday.
Blackout Wednesday Drunk Driving Risks
Today, Blackout Wednesday is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, rivaling New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day.
Unfortunately, with increased drinking comes increased drunk driving.
“Each year we see an increased number of DUI injury cases that arise out of this unofficial drinking ‘holiday’. With all of the driving services now available, there is no excuse for drunk driving,” states David Femminineo, founder and personal injury attorney at Femminineo Law.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 36 drivers were involved in drunk-driving crashes on Thanksgiving Eve in 2024. And this is not just a one off anomaly. From 2020 to 2024, 910 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Drivers 21 to 34 years old had the highest involvement in fatal drunk-driving crashes during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday. This makes sense, as these young adults are the largest demographic out at bars, partaking in the potentially dangerous holiday tradition of Blackout Wednesday.
As demonstrated by the statistics above, the risks presented by driving drunk are serious. Intoxication can impair your judgement, slow your reaction time, reduce your coordination, and lower your alertness. All these factors make it nearly impossible to drive safely under the influence of alcohol.
Preventing Drunk Driving Accidents This Thanksgiving
Fortunately for those on the road this Thanksgiving, drunk driving accidents are completely preventable.
If you plan to drink this Blackout Wednesday there are numerous different ways to avoid drunk driving including:
- Calling an Uber or Lyft
- Ordering a cab ahead of time
- Designating a sober driver
- Walking home from the bar
- Spending the night at a friend’s house
All of these options are excellent alternatives to drunk driving and could end up saving someone’s life this Thanksgiving. For additional tips to prevent drunk driving, check out Femminineo Law’s impaired driving prevention resource.
Talk to an Experienced Michigan Car Accident Attorney
The likelihood of being involved in an accident with an intoxicated driver is substantially increased this Blackout Wednesday. Despite our efforts to reduce the number of drunk-driving accidents, irresponsible drivers will inevitably continue to drive impaired.
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident with a drunk driver this holiday season, make sure to speak with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney as soon as possible. They will be able to review the facts of your accident, build a strong case, and hold the drunk driver responsible for their careless actions.
At Femminineo Law, we have been representing drunk-driving accident victims for over 30 years. With the Femminineo Law Accident Response Team in your corner, you can have confidence that your case will receive the personal attention it deserves. We are ready to fight for you and stand by your side every step of the way on your road to recovery.
Give us a call at 855-65CRASH or schedule a free consultation with Femminineo Law today.
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