Richmond, VA – Drivers across Virginia are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as early holiday travel and heavy bar traffic combine with heightened binge-drinking trends to create dangerous conditions on major corridors including I-95, I-64 and I-81.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—known nationally as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of America’s most alcohol-heavy nights. In 2022, liquor orders surged 156% compared to the previous Wednesday, with beer sales up 85% and cocktail orders rising 69%. Public-health experts say the short workweek, holiday stress and pre-Thanksgiving gatherings drive a significant spike in binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows the risk of encountering an impaired driver on Thanksgiving is 55% higher than on a typical day. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period…