State police set to ramp up patrols

Thanksgiving holiday weekend will see more officers on the roads

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and combining higher drinking rates with more people on the road can create dangerous situations for motorists.

With AAA is predicting 54.6 million people will be on the roads out for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Indiana State Police Lowell Post will be ramping up enforcement as part of the Safe Family Travel campaign.

More officers will be out to conduct saturation patrols designed to discourage impaired driving and promote seat belt use, according to an Indiana State Police news release. Safe Family Travel operations begin before Thanksgiving each year and run through New Year’s Day. The enforcement is funded through grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“We’re not telling people they can’t drink. We’re asking people to be responsible and to not drink

and drive,” said Lt. Terry Gose, Commander of the Lowell Post, in the release. “The holidays shouldn’t be marked by tragedy, so don’t ruin your life or the life of someone else by getting behind the wheel impaired. You will be held accountable if you do.”

According to NHTSA, drunk driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. This can be attributed, in part, to cultural phenomena like “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” an event synonymous with heavy alcohol consumption. This year’s holiday also comes at a time when fatal crashes and dangerous driving are up across the state and nation. In Indiana, 932 people lost their lives on the road last year, a 4% increase from 2020. Of those fatalities, 12 occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday season, with more than half (7) found unbuckled at the time of the crash. On average, approximately one-fourth of the state’s traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers. “Impaired driving is life-threatening, but even more so around the holidays,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “With so many ride options available, there’s no reason that should be the case. We’re asking everyone to plan accordingly and to make safety a priority. Our goal is zero fatalities this year.”

With officers on highalert, motorists are encouraged to plan to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber or Lyft. Even if one drink is consumed, never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. It’s also important to wear a seat belt, put away the distractions and follow posted speed limits. Travelers are encouraged to check road conditions before each trip and to leave with plenty of time to reach their destination safely.

“We’re anticipating a very busy travel season this year, so for those sharing the road, remember to slow down, drive sober and buckle up,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Most fatal crashes are avoidable, not inevitable. We want everyone to make it to the Thanksgiving table safely.”

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in Indiana and all 50 states.

The Gary Police Department said it will have officers working additional overtime shifts looking for impaired and aggressive drivers.