Thanksgiving Eve Starts Off Holiday Drinking Season
Once autumn hits, most Americans count down the days to Thanksgiving. A mini school break or long weekend leads to more time with loved ones. Shared appreciation around enough food to feed an army and reunion with extended family and friends can instantly remind us that regardless of what’s happening in the world at the moment, or our specific corner of it, our individual blessings are still abundant. However, that blissful moment of peace can be shattered instantly once behind the wheel and lead to a Michigan auto accident; because while Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season for most Americans, it also kicks off holiday drinking season.
Some Sobering Statistics
Let’s face it, statistics aren’t always fun to discuss, but they don’t lie. When it comes to our own safety or the security of friends, family, and the little ones we hold dearest, knowing specific statistics can save their lives. This is especially important to comprehend this time of year since almost 47 million Americans traveled for Thanksgiving in 2015, a 0.6% increase compared to the previous year. Those numbers are expected to grow again in 2016.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, holiday season drinking-related accidents have actually fallen about 20% since 1982. But based on the car crash statistics of recent years, the holiday season still accounts for 40% of all accidents on an annual basis. And if you think you or your loved ones are in a safe bubble, think again. The CDC confirms accidents caused by drunken driving injure or kill 728 people between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. That’s almost three times more than on any other days of the year. Having the number of an auto accident attorney in Michigan on speed dial can provide an extra layer of security during the holiday season.
Why Is Thanksgiving to Blame?
Single day events with limited pomp and circumstance. They’re also usually assigned a date which can fall on any day of the week. However, American Thanksgiving is always celebrated on fourth Thursday of November. National schools, banks, and many businesses shut down for a couple days to allow families to travel and bond. But for many, it’s more than just a time to share blessings and reconnect. Heavy partiers, those who don’t have to work on Thanksgiving Day and/or have no need to travel or connect with loved ones often participate in “Blackout Wednesday”, otherwise known as “Drinksgiving”.
This non-celebration has grown in popularity over the years with good reason. It encourages adults to meet up and socialize at local bars across the nation with one main premise: to get as drunk as possible knowing they can sleep it off the next day. The problem as always arises when drinkers fail to make transportation arrangements to return home safely. Even one drink can cause a severe lack of judgment on the roads. As such, MADD has recorded sharp increases in the number of drunken driving accidents on Black Wednesday. Statistics prove dangerous drinking activities that start this soon in the holiday season continue throughout it.
You may be like the majority of Americans who look forward to Thanksgiving and see it as a thankful celebration of food, family, and fun. But when alcohol gets involved that family dinner can turn disastrous. Why chance it? Regardless of how much you’ve had to drink, stay off the road. Take keys away from someone who’s been drinking. Avoid off-hour driving. And keep the number on hand of a competent car accident attorney in Mt. Clemens Michigan to help ensure your needs are covered in the event you are still involved in a collision. You’ll be thankful you did.
