Thanksgiving Feasts And The Need For Safe Choices On South Dakota Roads

Here we are again, on the doorstep of Thanksgiving, that annual celebration of gratitude, blessings, and doing our best not to forget to thaw out the turkey.

During a day devoted to giving thanks… and, for many of us, giving our elastic waistbands the workout of their lives. If you’re one of those folks who tends to pile the plate a little too high, three or four times, you know exactly why the inventor of stretchy pants deserves a national holiday of their own.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving week is also one of the busiest times of the year for alcohol consumption, right up there with New Year’s Eve and whatever day your favorite football team loses with under 30 seconds left to play.

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AAA reports that drunk and impaired driving spikes significantly around the Thanksgiving holiday.

According to Dakota News Now, terms like “Blackout Wednesday” and “Drinksgiving” have crept into the seasonal vocabulary, bringing with them a troubling rise in alcohol-related crashes.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that between 2019 and 2023, 868 people lost their lives in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving week, more than one-third of all traffic fatalities during that period. That's a sobering statistic, to say the least.

For many, overindulging in wine and other festive holiday libations has become as routine as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and that inevitable moment when Uncle Harry passes out in the barcalounger midway through the third quarter.

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AAA wants to remind everyone that it’s never okay to drive buzzed. And no, a fourth helping of mashed potatoes does not magically cancel out that six-pack you downed while watching Detroit play Green Bay.

This Thanksgiving, the smart play is simple: try not to overeat. Good luck with that one, by the way, and if you plan to spend part of the holiday with your dear friends Jack and Daniels, make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Stay safe!