Nashville, TN – Drivers across Tennessee are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the year’s busiest drinking nights overlaps with heavy Thanksgiving travel on major routes including I-40, I-24, and I-65.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of the most alcohol-heavy nights in the United States. In 2022, liquor orders surged 156% compared to the prior Wednesday, while beer sales rose 85% and cocktail orders increased 69%. Public-health experts point to holiday stress, long weekends and social gatherings as primary drivers of 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 Tennessee Highway Patrol, along with police departments in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Murfreesboro, are expanding DUI enforcement Wednesday night. Troopers say I-40, I-24, I-65, and nightlife hubs such as Broadway in Nashville, Beale Street in Memphis, Knoxville’s Old City and college districts around UT and MTSU often see elevated impairment-related incidents as students return home and bars fill before the holiday.
National trends mirror these risks. Cities like Indianapolis and Minneapolis report that Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Officials warn Tennessee faces similar threats due to its high-volume interstates and booming nightlife scenes.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, arrange sober transportation and report suspected impaired drivers immediately.
