Buzzed and drunken driving has tragically become a defining aspect of Thanksgiving Eve, with some people turning it into a night of drinking and driving.

Ahead of the big night known to some as “Drinksgiving,” officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Berks County law enforcement are reminding motorists that driving after even a few drinks is a risky choice.

Nationwide from 2019 to 2023,149 drunken drivers were involved in fatal crashes between 6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and 6 a.m. Of those drivers, 107 were male and 34 were female.

Drivers 21-24 were the age group most likely to be alcohol-impaired in fatal crashes on that same night, followed by drivers ages 25-34. In 2023, there were 30 drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve, with 17 of the drivers being males.

“These tragic events highlight the urgent need for everyone to plan with safety in mind,” said Sgt. David Bentz of the Exeter Township Police Department and Berks County coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program. “When you get on the road, you are pledging to use safe driving practices to keep all road users safe.”

Anyone heading out to a bar or party should commit to staying sober for the night if they are driving, or arrange for a sober ride home before they begin to drink alcohol, Bentz said.

Drivers should be safe on Thanksgiving Eve by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely, police advise. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive by taking away the keys and helping get them a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunken driver, contact 911.

State police in Berks previously announced they will be operating stepped up DUI patrols and a sobriety checkpoint through the end of November.