Oklahoma City, OK – Drivers across Oklahoma are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the nation’s busiest drinking nights converges with early Thanksgiving travel along major corridors including I-40, I-35, and I-44.
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. Liquor orders jumped 156% in 2022 compared to the previous Wednesday, while beer sales climbed 85% and cocktail orders rose 69%. Health experts say holiday stress, long weekends and pre-holiday gatherings all contribute to widespread 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 window.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, along with police departments in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond, Stillwater and Lawton, are increasing DUI enforcement Wednesday night. Troopers say I-40, I-35, I-44, and nightlife hubs such as Bricktown, Tulsa’s Blue Dome District, Campus Corner in Norman and downtown Stillwater often see higher impairment-related incidents as students return home and bar crowds surge.
National trends reinforce the concern. Cities like Indianapolis and Minneapolis have reported that Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Oklahoma officials warn that similar risks apply statewide, given the combination of heavy interstate travel, college-driven nightlife and packed entertainment districts.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and immediately report suspected impaired drivers.
