The California Highway Patrol said officers will be focusing on impaired drivers ahead of Blackout Wednesday or Drinksgiving. The announcement came as the community remembers the three teens killed in a fiery crash in Piedmont.
Thursday marks the anniversary of the Piedmont Tesla Cybertruck crash that killed three college students. Since them, multiple lawsuits have been filed, including claims against Tesla over the Cybertruck’s power-lock design, which families said it trapped the students inside once the truck lost power.
The CHP said among the causes of why that driver lost control was alcohol.
The deaths serve as a reminder on the eve sometimes known as Blackout Wednesday or Drinksgiving, which is when people head to bars to reconnect with hometown friends ahead of the holiday weekend.
Now, the CHP said they have added patrols focusing on impaired drivers earlier Wednesday evening and will run until midnight on Sunday.
“I think the best advice we can give anybody who participating in what has been dubbed as Blackout Wednesday is have a plan ahead of time know how you’re getting home,” said Sgt. Andrew Barclay with the CHP Golden Gate Division. “Also, if you are the designated driver please remember it’s important that you hold up your end of the bargain that’s no drinking.”
It’s a message Oakland’s Mad Oak Bar N Yard shares with their patrons as they anticipate their busiest Wednesday of the year.
“We’ve historically been one of Ubers top ten destinations in Oakland and so I think that’s been a game changer between Uber and Lyft that people can be responsible and it’s a lot easier than it used to be,” said Daniel Cukierman with the Mad Oak Bar N Yard.
The data company Beerboard which tracks alcohol sales says on Thanksgiving eve says last year Spirit sales increased nearly 40% compared to 2023.
It says packaged beers and ciders as well as wine sales also rose.
Mad Oak Bar N Yard says serving customers those drinks comes with a duty.
“It’s our responsibility not just tonight but every night, ‘Hey looks like you’ve had too much to drink here’s so water have a seat relax for a while,’” said Cukierman.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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