Seattle, WA – Drivers across Washington are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the nation’s busiest drinking nights overlaps with heavy Thanksgiving travel along I-5, I-90, and SR-520.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of America’s top alcohol-consumption nights. Liquor orders surged 156% in 2022 compared to the prior Wednesday, while beer sales rose 85% and cocktail orders climbed 69%. Public-health officials say holiday stress, long weekends and pre-feast gatherings significantly contribute to 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 holiday window.
Washington State Patrol, along with departments in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Everett and Vancouver, are expanding DUI patrols Wednesday night. Troopers say I-5, I-90, SR-520, and nightlife hubs such as Capitol Hill, Belltown, Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue, Spokane’s downtown entertainment zone and college districts around UW, WSU and Western Washington University often see elevated impairment-related incidents as students return home and bar traffic surges.
National trends reflect similar concerns. Cities including Indianapolis and Minneapolis report Blackout Wednesday can surpass New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Washington officials warn the state faces comparable risks, especially with dense metro nightlife, interstate traffic and early holiday departures.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, plan sober transportation and report suspected impaired motorists immediately.
