SAN ANTONIO — The message is simple before Thanksgiving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says stop the blackout trend on Wednesday. The day before the holiday is known as 'Blackout Wednesday'.
NHTSA says that day is very dangerous on the roads. According to the agency, from 2017 to 2021, 137 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were alcohol impaired. In 2021 alone, 36 drivers were alcohol-impaired in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve.
San Antonio business owner Ricky Ortiz operates several establishments like El Camino, Bésame Bar and Food Truck Park, and a new venture soon opening called Ay Que Chula.
He talked about the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
"Everybody is off," he said. "People are with their family. They want to have a good time, and want to go out and drink. I know it is one of the worst days for DUI accidents. I try to run my businesses keeping families in mind and my employees especially. My existing bars right now. The food trucks we have right now, we close a little earlier. We are strict on our TABC guidelines."
Ortiz lost his brother to a wrong-way driver he said had traces of alcohol and drugs in his system.
"I think as an owner of a business, it is important to do your part to protect your customers and employees," Ortiz said.
Also, according to NHTSA from 2017 to 2021, young drivers ages 21-24 represented the largest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in deadly crashes on Thanksgiving eve. San Antonio Police Officer William Kasberg has been with the DWI unit for nearly 12 years.
"This is the highest time of season that we have those crashes due to a lot of drinking both college, families," he said. "Drinking and driving is one of the most avoidable arrests that you can possibly do. It doesn't discriminate from the lowest income to the most influential person."
The two stressing how important it is to plan ahead.
"Make good decisions, the loss of one life is too many," Kasberg said.
Ortiz wants to make sure customers get home safe.
"There's nothing wrong with going out for a few drinks," Ortiz said. "But, if you have money for a drink, you have money for an Uber."
Free rides are even offered, if he says a customers does need help to get home.