Montpelier, VT – The Vermont State Police are urging drivers to stay sober this Thanksgiving week as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Thanksgiving Eve Campaign, which runs from Nov. 22 through Nov. 26.
According to the agency, impaired driving consistently spikes before and during the Thanksgiving holiday, making it one of the most dangerous times of year on U.S. roads. From 2019 to 2023, 149 impaired drivers were involved in fatal crashes in the 12 hours leading up to Thanksgiving, including 30 fatalities in 2023 alone, police said.
“Feeling ‘fine’ is not the same as being safe to drive,” officials warned in a statement. They are urging motorists to arrange a sober ride, use public transportation, or call a rideshare service rather than risk getting behind the wheel after drinking.
State police referenced a recent Addison County case in which a driver allegedly crossed the center line and tested nearly twice the legal limit before being arrested for DUI. That case has since been resolved, authorities confirmed.
Law enforcement across Vermont will increase patrols and checkpoints this week to identify and stop impaired drivers. “Arrive at the table alive,” police added. “Please drive sober.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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