St. Louis, MO – Drivers across Missouri are being urged to use heightened caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the year’s busiest drinking nights converges with early Thanksgiving travel along major routes including I-70, I-44, and I-55.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of America’s heaviest alcohol-consumption nights. In 2022, liquor orders surged 156% compared to the prior Wednesday, while beer sales jumped 85% and cocktail orders rose 69%. Public-health experts point to holiday stress, extended weekends and pre-Thanksgiving gatherings as key drivers of binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows motorists are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired driver on Thanksgiving than on an average day. From 2017 to 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving travel period.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, along with departments in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and Independence, are expanding DUI patrols Wednesday night. Officials say I-70, I-44, I-55, and nightlife hubs such as the St. Louis Central West End, Soulard, Kansas City’s Power & Light District, Westport and college-area districts near Mizzou and Missouri State often see increased impairment-related incidents as college students return home and bars fill.
National trends show similar concerns. Cities like Indianapolis and Minneapolis report Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Missouri officials warn the state faces comparable risks, especially with high interstate travel volumes and dense bar districts across its major metro areas.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and immediately report suspected impaired drivers.
