The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year and law enforcement will be out patrolling the roads.
The day, known as “Blackout Wednesday” kicks off a local campaign to discourage impaired driving during the holiday season, which runs through January 2.
PennDOT, Allegheny County officials and local police departments are teaming up to remind people to stay sober or have a designated driver and buckle up.
Part of PennDOT’s Holiday Season Impaired Driving Enforcement program includes the West Hills DUI Task Force.
Lieutenant Shener Ulke with Moon Township Police tells KDKA Radio there will be targeted DUI Enforcement planned for this week and roving patrols will be out.
“Hopefully people will be smart and arrange for safe rides,” said Lt. Ulke.
PennDOT data shows that 11 people died in 998 crashes in Allegheny County last year between the day before Thanksgiving and January 2, 2024.
Of those crashes, 105 were due to impaired driving, resulting in five deaths.
DUIs also cost those charged thousands of dollars.
