Alarming Stats Show Holiday Drinking an Issue for Many

Infographic (below) highlights increased binge drinking, DUIs between Thanksgiving eve and New Year's

DENVER -- Nov. 21, 2014: Statistics released from a number of organizations show that binge drinking and drunk driving increase astronomically during the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving eve, which is now termed "Blackout Wednesday" in many cities.

The data, highlighted in an Infographic released by Alcohol Monitoring Systems as part of their annual Sober Days for the Holidays public awareness campaign, paints a picture of high-risk drinking and increased rates of DUI injuries and deaths during the holiday season. The company, which has monitored more than 360,000 high-risk drunk drivers 24/7 for alcohol consumption, reports that over the next five weeks, violations will jump an average of 33% compared to the rest of the year. "And that's for individuals who know they're being tested every 30 minutes, know they'll be caught and know there will be consequences like time in jail," says Mike Iiams, AMS chairman and CEO.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 728 people will be injured or killed each day between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in drunk driving accidents, a rate two to three times higher than the rest of the year. According to AMS, New Year's is the most dangerous holiday of the year, when violations for the offenders they monitor are predicted to skyrocket 155%.

Thanksgiving Eve Now "Blackout Wednesday" The latest trend for the season is a substantial rise in binge drinking and DUIs on Thanksgiving Eve, now termed Blackout Wednesday. That day has become particularly high-risk for young people, and in some urban areas, bars report that they now see more business on that day than St. Patrick's Day or New Year's. The CDC defines binge drinking for women as four or more drinks in a sitting. For men it's five or more.

Sober Days for the Holidays AMS encourages everyone to make a plan for getting home safely before you leave, rather than deciding how to get home after you've been drinking. In addition, law enforcement agencies throughout the country will be running roadside sobriety checkpoints, including the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.