Posted on Friday, November 8th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest weekends for drinking – and one of the largest for DUI incidents. Blackout Wednesday has become an increasing concern over the Thanksgiving holidays in Cincinnati, as many call for ways to reduce the amount of drinking and driving over the holidays. But what is Blackout Wednesday, and why is it so dangerous to drink and drive in Cincinnati?
Blackout Wednesday Meaning
Blackout Wednesday is a colloquial term referring to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which often involves high amounts of binge drinking. The term “blackout” refers to the phenomenon of blacking out when one consumes too much alcohol and loses their memory of the previous night.
Blackout Wednesday, also known as “Drinksgiving,” is a popular night for people to start ringing in the holiday season. Many people have work of the next few days, and college students often come home for Thanksgiving break, so lots of people start drinking heavily on the Wednesday night before Turkey Day.
Drinksgiving is a popular time for bar activity in Cincinnati, with owners preparing for the increased number of drinking customers by hiring more staff and security. Similarly, police increase their presence on Blackout Wednesday to combat the increased risk of drunk drivers.
Blackout Wednesday Risks
Blackout Wednesday carries several risks related to alcohol consumption:
- Increased DUIs – Predictably, days with heavy drinking are more likely to have more DUIs. DUI arrests typically spike during holidays, as does the risk of DUI crashes and fatalities.
- Health Risks – Excess drinking on Blackout Wednesday also poses a public health problem. Alcohol poisoning can cause hospitalization and poor decision-making, while inebriation contributes to a higher rate of accidents and injuries.
- Substance Abuse Risks – Blackout Wednesday is also a dangerous day for those who have alcohol or substance abuse problems. Peer pressure to drink and celebrate can cause many to break sobriety and relapse.
Blackout Wednesday DUI Statistics
Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous holidays for drinking and driving, and a significant portion of those crashes happen on the Wednesday before. According to a study analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the day before Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous days to drive in the nation, with an average of 114 car crash fatalities over a four-year period. Of these, 25 percent were related to drunk driving. The most dangerous time to drive on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., during which time 34.7 percent of crashes occur.
Blackout Wednesday and OVI Checkpoints
Cincinnati police often increase OVI sobriety checkpoints during periods of heavy drinking, and Blackout Wednesday is no exception. Sobriety checkpoints are typically on major thoroughfares and commence during late hours, when individuals might be on the road after drinking. Police will randomly stop cars to test for inebriation and may ask drivers to perform breathalyzers or field sobriety tests.
OVI Saturation Patrols
Cincinnati police also tend to increase OVI patrols over the Thanksgiving holiday. So-called saturation patrols provide extra police presence on the road to identify signs of drunk driving, such as:
- Swerving
- Drifting lanes
- Not signaling properly
- Wide turns
- Braking erratically
- Irregular accelerating
- Weaving into traffic
- Tailgating
- Excessive speeding
- Driving under the posted limit
- Running stop signs
The Consequences of an OVI
Ohio takes drunk driving seriously and can impose harsh penalties for DUIs, even for first-time offenders. If you get a drunk driving conviction, you may have to pay a fee of over $1,000 and face a license suspension of at least a year. During that time, you won’t be able to drive or will have significantly limited driving privileges.
First-time OVIs in Ohio also carry a mandatory three-day prison sentence, although you may be able to take a driver education program in lieu of jail time. Regardless, the consequences of an OVI can be devastating to your finances, employment, and social life.
If you are arrested for an OVI on Blackout Wednesday, it’s critical that you remain calm with the police, decline to answer questions, and contact a Cincinnati OVI attorney as soon as possible. Police will use whatever they can against you for an OVI conviction, so you need an attorney present. Your attorney can also pursue legal avenues for charge dismissal or reduction.
Staying Safe on Blackout Wednesday
Protecting yourself on the road this Blackout Wednesday is a matter of planning and knowing your limits. Follow these tips to avoid driving drunk and to protect yourself from drunk drivers on the road:
- Plan a Ride – Assign a designated driver from your group; if everyone is drinking, plan ahead so you can call someone for a ride. You can also use rideshare apps like Lyft or Uber.
- Have an Emergency Contact – Make sure you have someone you can call in case you get separated from your group and need a ride or if there is an emergency.
- Stay in a Comfortable Environment – Don’t go to unfamiliar places where you may not know anyone.
- Wear Your Seatbelt – If you are a passenger in a car, always wear your seatbelt, even if you are only going a short distance.
- Be Alert – Staying alert is the key to staying safe. Be aware of other cars around you, and always be alert when driving.
- Don’t Overdo It – Pace yourself, and don’t exceed your limits to impair your decision-making.
Contact a Cincinnati OVI Defense Attorney Today
Don’t let a DUI or OVI affect your life – and potentially someone else’s – long after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Make sure you stay safe on the road and know your limits. If you have been arrested for an OVI, it’s important to contact a lawyer quickly. The attorneys at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC have over 50 years of combined experience working in OVI defense. They will not rest until we have explored every avenue for dismissing or reducing your charges. Contact us online or today at (513) 421-9790 to arrange a free consultation with a skilled Cincinnati OVI attorney.