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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Thanksgiving

About

Key Dates

  • November 23-29, 2026: Thanksgiving Campaign
    • November 25: Thanksgiving Eve
    • November 26: Thanksgiving

Relevant, timely and seasonal messaging can help boost traffic safety communication efforts. 

We offer themed material for Thanksgiving that encourages people to not get behind the wheel after drinking and to plan for a safe, sober ride home.  

Facts

Thanksgiving

  • From 2020-2024, the death toll in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities was 910, representing more than one-third (36%) of all fatalities in traffic crashes. 
  • 164 people died in drunk-driving crashes during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday (6 p.m. Wednesday – 5:59 a.m. Monday). 
    • Drivers ages 21-34 (37%) had the highest involvement in fatal drunk-driving crashes on Thanksgiving 2024. 

Thanksgiving Eve

  • 36 drivers were involved in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. Wednesday – 5:59 a.m. Thursday) in 2024.    

For general drunk-driving facts, visit our Drunk Driving section.
For facts translated in Spanish, visit NHTSA.gov/Espanol.

Talking Points

We've prepared talking points related to this topic. After downloading, we encourage you to add local stats and facts to the document.  

Earned Media

We've produced sample earned media that can be used for media outreach.

  • Coming soon:  Spanish

Variable Message Board

MAKE IT TO

TURKEY DINNER

DRIVE SOBER

GIVE THANKS TO

SOBER DRIVERS

ON THANKSGIVING

BUZZED DRIVING

IS

DRUNK DRIVING

BUZZED DRIVING

IS NOT

SOBER DRIVING

UR FAMILY AWAITS

DESIGNATE YOUR

SOBER DRIVER

THANKFUL FOR LIFE

DRIVE SOBER

THIS THANKSGIVING

Download All Text

Additional Resources