Albuquerque, NM – Drivers across New Mexico are being urged to use heightened caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the nation’s busiest drinking nights overlaps with early Thanksgiving travel across major corridors including I-25, I-40, and US-550.
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% compared to the prior Wednesday, while beer sales climbed 85% and cocktail orders rose 69%. Public-health experts cite holiday stress, long weekends and pre-Thanksgiving gatherings as significant drivers of binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows motorists are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired driver on Thanksgiving than on a typical day. From 2017 to 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving travel window.
The New Mexico State Police, along with departments in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Farmington and Roswell, are expanding DUI patrols Wednesday night. Troopers say I-25, I-40, US-550, and nightlife hubs including Albuquerque’s Downtown and Nob Hill, Santa Fe’s Historic District and college areas near UNM and NMSU routinely see elevated impairment-related incidents as bar crowds swell and students return home.
National trends reflect similar risks. Cities such as Indianapolis and Minneapolis report Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. New Mexico officials warn the state faces comparable dangers, especially with long-distance holiday travel, rural highways and rapidly growing nightlife districts.
Motorists are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober rides and report suspected impaired drivers immediately.
