Highway traffic increases greatly the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Indiana State Police (ISP) will have extra patrols looking for speeding and cell phone use.
But ISP spokesperson Sergeant Todd Ringle said a lot of people don’t think about driving fatigued which also contributes to holiday crashes.
Travelers may hit the road for example, at 2 a.m. to beat holiday traffic.
“So now you're going to be fighting staying awake for an extended period of time,” he said. “And if you choose to do that you're basically putting you and your family at risk because you're going to find out that it's very difficult to stay awake.”
Ringle said they see crashes every year, which can be quite serious when someone falls asleep.
He said there are generally not increased drinking and driving incidents around the holidays, at least on local highways.
People do drink more during the holidays , but most stay with family and friends.
“And what we do notice during the holidays, it seems Like more drivers are more aware about the importance of not drinking and driving, so everyone's awareness level is typically higher during the holiday periods.”
So there are fewer operating while intoxicated arrests on local Indiana Highways. None last Thanksgiving, in fact.
The main causes of crashes are distracted driving and excessive speeds combined with very busy highways. There were 2,400 hundred crashes this week last year, 342 injuries and 11 fatalities.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) also has increased patrols this week.
“If you plan to drink, ensure you also plan your way home,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson via news release. “Secure a sober ride in advance so you can enjoy your evening without concern for transportation afterward.”
Countywide VCSO stats, including ISP:
2023 - 14 DUI Arrests (VCSO/EPD), 174 Crashes with 38 injuries, 0 related to impairment
2022 - 9 DUI Arrests (VCSO/EPD), 175 Crashes with 31 injuries, 2 related to impairment
Via the Evanville Police Department:
Drivers who intend on drinking that evening should plan and secure a designated sober driver. “When you get on the road, you are pledging to use safe driving practices to keep all road users safe,” said Sgt. Nick Winsett. “Anyone heading out to a bar or party must make a commitment to stay sober for the night if they are driving or arrange for a sober ride home before they begin to drink alcohol.”
Here are some ways to prevent drunk driving:
• Plan for a Safe Ride – designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or call an Uber or Lyft.
• Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
• Report Drunk Driving – call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.
Remember buzzed driving is drunk driving.
While Drunk Driving is not the main factor for holiday driving crashes locally, motorways aren’t completely free of drunk drivers. Facts via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
The Thanksgiving period begins the night before the holiday, which is often reserved for meeting up with old friends — and may involve drinking. In 2022, 100 drivers were involved in fatal traffic crashes on Thanksgiving Eve — 35% of those drivers were drunk.
Thanksgiving usually means spending quality time with loved ones, feeling grateful and, of course, food and drinks. From 2018-2022, 833 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, before you get behind the wheel, remember that even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person quickly.