While Thanksgiving Thursday is given over to displays of gratitude (or gluttony), the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving has become its own highly celebrated event. “Drinksgiving” became a trend because people often return to their former hometowns and familiar haunts for Thanksgiving, and they take the opportunity to reconnect informally with their best buddies from high school or the cousins they only get to see once a year.
Drinksgiving has become such a “thing” that bars and restaurants now plan for it – and so do police. Police presence is often increased on the streets around any holiday, and Drinksgiving is no different. Drinksgiving has past for this year, and those who ended up on the side of the road may want to begin their search for an advocate. Looking forward to next year as well as any holiday where festivities involve alcoholic beverages, here are some tips for planning ahead. No one wants to end their night in handcuffs.
Designate a sober driver
One of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure you don’t get arrested for drunk driving on Drinksgiving is to designate a sober driver. Well in advance of the festivities, see if you can get a volunteer. You need just one responsible person who is willing to abstain for the night so that they can get everybody in your group home safely.
Explore public transportation
In a lot of areas, public transportation runs extra routes on holidays (especially drinking holidays) to make sure that people get to and from their destinations safely. If you have access to enough public transportation where you’re going, plan your route so that you’re comfortable navigating your way home when you’re tipsy.
Budget for a ride-hailing service
Ride-hailing services, like Uber, Lyft and taxis, are all convenient ways to travel when you want to have a few drinks. Just make sure that you set up the apps you need, have your payment method pre-loaded and budget accordingly.
Arrange for a pickup
If you’re heading “back home” for the holiday, you may be able to impose a little on your loved ones. Mom, Dad or Cousin Mary may all be willing to stay up for a while and pick you up when you call.
The wisest thing you can do when you’re going out on Drinksgiving is to leave your keys at home. If one drink somehow turns into a few, however, and you find yourself facing drunk driving charges, exercise your right to remain silent until you can fully explore your defense options by seeking legal guidance.