Black Wednesday - The Beginning of Holiday Drinking

Black Wednesday
The Beginning of Holiday Drinking

We all know about Black Friday, and many of us are looking forward to the shopping sales it brings. But law enforcement officers, behavioral health personnel, and members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are keeping their eyes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, known as Black Wednesday. Haven’t heard of it?

Black Wednesday marks the beginning of the holiday drinking season. According to a board-certified psychiatrist from Tanner Behavioral Health, there are two reasons why people choose to drink, or drink more, during the holidays.

1. The holidays are stressful. Family and friends are coming into town and must be entertained.

2. The joy of being around people you love for the holidays can often lead to people letting loose and indulging more.

How can you be sure you and your family are safe for this marked time of year? First, don’t drink and drive, and don’t let others you are with drink and drive. Plan ahead. Some other tips are...

1. Designate a driver for the evening, who will not be drinking.

2. Call a taxi for someone who is drinking.

3. Provide space for people to sleep over if they don’t have a safe way home.

4. If you are hosting a party with alcohol, monitor how much alcohol others are consuming.

The president of MADD in Carroll County, Wanice Odell, stated that 331 people died in GA in 2009 for alcohol-related incidents, and 16 of those were in Carroll County alone. Ms. Odell, and other members of MADD are not against celebrating the holiday with a drink, just people getting behind the wheel of any car when they’ve been impaired by alcohol.

Keep you kids safe! Since kids are out of school for the holiday, many of them will be playing outside. Make sure they stay a safe distance away from any well-traveled roadway, especially in the early morning or evening.

Older children may go to parties or hang out with their friends. Be sure to get to know your children’s friends, and be aware if they will have access to alcohol. Here are some precautionary measures to keeping your teens safe:

1. Make sure your teen has a backup plan. If they get into a situation where they are riding with a drunk driver, be available as a parent to pick them up if they are uncomfortable.

2. If you are not available, or your child is not comfortable calling you, then be sure that they have a responsible adult willing to get them out of the situation. Creating options for your children will give them a better chance to make a smart decision.

Whether you choose to drink or not, have a safe and happy holidays, and be careful while driving the roads.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driving accident, call us at 770-577-3020 for answers to your most pressing questions in a free consultation. We will help you recover the maximum amount of compensation for your case, including compensation for punitive damages (intended to punish the drunk driver, the claim will reward you financially).