Little Rock, AR – Drivers across Arkansas are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as heavy bar traffic and early Thanksgiving travel create dangerous conditions along major routes including I-40, I-30, and US-67/167.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of the nation’s biggest alcohol-consumption nights. In 2022, liquor orders jumped 156% compared to the prior Wednesday, while beer sales climbed 85% and cocktail orders rose 69%. Health experts say holiday stress, long weekends and pre-holiday gatherings fuel widespread binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows motorists are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired driver on Thanksgiving than an average day. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Arkansas State Police, along with police departments in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Conway and Hot Springs, are expanding DUI patrols Wednesday night. Troopers say I-40, I-30, US-67/167, and nightlife hubs like the River Market, Dickson Street in Fayetteville, downtown Hot Springs and major college districts around UA and ASU often see higher impairment-related incidents as students return home and bars fill ahead of the holiday.
Nationally, cities such as Indianapolis and Minneapolis have reported that Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Arkansas officials warn similar risks apply here, particularly with heavy interstate travel and busy entertainment corridors across the state.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and report suspected impaired drivers immediately.
