PennDOT warns against drunk driving during of one of biggest drinking nights of the year
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Wednesday before Thanksgiving one of the biggest drinking days of the year. Many people have Thanksgiving off, most college students are back home, and they may go out with their high school friends.
With that comes a reminder to not drive while impaired. PennDOT and its partners want you to know that driving while impaired could be disastrous.
"It really only takes one bad decision to take someone's loved one away from them," Yasmeen Manyisha of PennDOT District 11 said.
It's why PennDOT is starting its season impaired driving campaign.
"We want all of our loved ones to make it back home safely," Maggie Nunley of the Pennsylvania DUI Association.
Last year, from Thanksgiving 2023 to Jan. 2, 2024, there were 105 impaired driver-related crashes in Pennsylvania. Five people died from those.
PennDOT and its partners are reminding people to buckle up.
"It's the easiest way to protect your children," Manyisha said. "It's the easiest way to protect your friends, it's the easiest way to protect yourselves."
They also say to watch how you pair alcohol and drugs and make you use a designated driver if you hit up the bars.
"Know your limits and make a plan," Manyisha said.
The penalties for a DUI could be steep. You could face anywhere from a $500 to a $5,000 fine, six months of incarceration, a one-year license suspension, and mandatory driver's school.
The drivers KDKA-TV spoke with on Wednesday have some advice too.
"Use those rideshare apps, call friends," Luis Moreno, a driver traveling from Illinois, said.
PennDOT says its campaign isn't just about Blackout Wednesday. While it's emphasizing Wednesday night, the campaign will run through the holiday season.
Pittsburgh bars anticipate boost in business
From Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Bar to Tequila Cowboy to Twelve Whiskey BBQ, people were out at Pittsburgh's bars Wednesday night.
"Love it. Every year. Always here. Can't get enough of it. Always got to be here," said Justin Locke from the North Hills.
Bartenders and managers say they're ready.
"It should be like a good Friday night. We are expecting to be full by about 10 o'clock tonight. It's starting to fill up right now," said Todd Valek, the operations manager of Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Bar.
Bartender Johanna Antonuccio expected at least 50% more sales than a usual Wednesday night at Twelve Whiskey BBQ.
Since it's known as the biggest drinking night of the year, police will be out watching the road. Pittsburgh police said their South Side entertainment patrol is fully staffed and ready to respond to anything.
