The day before Thanksgiving has gradually become one of the biggest nights of the year. In fact, “Drunksgiving” has become so widely accepted that bars run specials, and you can even buy shirts that celebrate the night. Drunksgiving came into being largely because people use the night to meet up with friends and family they haven’t seen in a while, simply because everybody ends up back in their hometown for the weekend.
Unfortunately, the surge in alcohol consumption means that there can be a lot more inebriated drivers out there on the road. If you have to travel the day before Thanksgiving, remember these tips.
Plan your travel times wisely
Avoid late-night driving whenever possible. If you’re headed “home” for the holiday, try to schedule your drive so that you’re off the road by 9 or 10 p.m. so that you can avoid being on the road when the first wave of people will be leaving the bars.
Plan your route
You probably know the biggest “bar districts” in your hometown, so try to plan your route around them. It’s better to go a little out of your way with a detour than to take a chance.
Be particularly defensive
You always want to be on the defensive when you’re driving, but that is especially true on Drunksgiving. Put extra space between your car and other vehicles so that you have extra reaction time. Keep your eyes peeled for drivers who are driving erratically, making unexpected lane changes or overly wide (or narrow) turns.
If you do end up in a collision with a drunk driver, stay calm and call 911 immediately. Make sure that you attend to your medical needs before you do anything else. You can seek legal guidance to protect your right to compensation once things settle.