Wichita, KS – Drivers across Kansas are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the year’s busiest drinking nights overlaps with early Thanksgiving travel along key routes such as I-70, I-35, and US-54/400.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely referred to as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of America’s heaviest alcohol-consumption nights. In 2022, liquor orders surged 156% over the previous Wednesday, while beer sales rose 85% and cocktail orders increased 69%. Public-health experts say holiday stress, long weekends and large social gatherings contribute to a spike in binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows motorists are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired driver on Thanksgiving compared to an average day. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving travel period.
The Kansas Highway Patrol, along with police departments in Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe and Salina, are increasing DUI enforcement Wednesday night. Troopers say I-70, I-35, US-54, and nightlife districts such as Wichita’s Old Town, Aggieville in Manhattan, downtown Lawrence and the Kansas City metro’s bar hubs often see elevated impairment-related incidents as college students return home and bars fill ahead of the holiday.
National trends reflect similar risks. Cities like Indianapolis and Minneapolis report Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests—a warning Kansas officials say applies across the state due to strong college nightlife turnout and high interstate travel volumes.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and report suspected impaired drivers immediately.
