Minneapolis, MN – Drivers across Minnesota are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the heaviest drinking nights of the year overlaps with early Thanksgiving travel along major routes including I-94, I-35W, and I-35E.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—nationally known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become a major alcohol-consumption night across the country. In 2022, liquor sales surged 156% compared to the previous Wednesday, while beer sales climbed 85% and cocktail orders rose 69%. Public-health experts say holiday stress, returning college students and pre-holiday gatherings all contribute to widespread binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows drivers are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired motorist on Thanksgiving than on an average day. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving travel period.
Minnesota is routinely highlighted in national Blackout Wednesday coverage. In past years, more than 300 law-enforcement agencies across the state coordinated targeted enforcement for this night, deploying overtime patrols to intercept impaired drivers. Local reporting shows that busy bar districts and college areas often push Blackout Wednesday arrests to levels rivaling or exceeding New Year’s Eve.
This year, Minnesota State Patrol and police departments in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and Bloomington are expanding DUI patrols. Troopers say I-94, I-35W, I-35E, and nightlife hubs like Uptown, Downtown Minneapolis, Dinkytown, St. Paul’s West Seventh and Duluth’s Canal Park typically see elevated impairment-related incidents as holiday crowds grow.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and immediately report suspected impaired drivers.
