JEFFERSON CITY – As Missourians hit the road for Thanksgiving this week, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be cautious and patient and to prioritize good judgment behind the wheel. Impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeds and increased traffic are just a few of the concerns that can accompany holiday travel.
The night before Thanksgiving, sometimes referred to as Blackout Wednesday, has become a popular evening for social gatherings and heavy drinking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2019 to 2023, 868 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, making it one of the deadliest holidays on the nation’s roadways.
In 2024, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 people were killed and 64 were seriously injured in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from Wednesday, November 27, at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, December 1, 2024. This year, MoDOT is working alongside law enforcement and safety partners to reduce – and ideally eliminate – traffic fatalities through public awareness, increased enforcement and the promotion of sober ride options.
With the number of statewide traffic fatalities already exceeding 800 for the year, MoDOT is urging motorists to be vigilant, buckle up, obey posted speed limits and never drive impaired or distracted. Pedestrians and bicyclists should also ensure they are paying attention and using the roadways as intended.
“Fatal crashes are almost always preventable, especially when everyone is doing their part to stay safe on the roadways. There are easy, simple actions we can all take, like buckling up, putting down the phone, driving the appropriate speed and never driving impaired,” said Jon Nelson, State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer. “While our current rate of traffic fatalities remains very close to last year’s levels, we still have a real opportunity to end 2025 with a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities. Enjoying a Thanksgiving holiday with zero traffic fatalities would go a long way in getting us to that point.”
Avoid putting yourself and other road users at risk by planning ahead. Schedule a rideshare in advance, have a sober friend pick you up or use public transportation. If you see a friend who is about to drink and drive, take their keys and find a sober driver that can get them home safely. As significant roadway improvements are still in progress across the state, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead to avoid delays.
Drivers can stay informed of road conditions and delays on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, also available as a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
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