State Police at Butler Plan Sobriety Checkpoints for Thanksgiving Holiday Season

Oh, you better watch out this holiday season—and not just for Santa Claus.

State police at Butler and the Butler County District Attorney’s DUI Task Force will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols at various times and locations on Butler County's highways throughout the Thanksgiving period.

The patrols are being deployed to target aggressive driving violations and impaired drivers, according to state police.

Thanksgiving Eve, which falls this year on Wednesday, Nov. 21, traditionally is one of the biggest drinking days of the years—ranking right up there with New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day.

"It's kind of a cultural thing. It seems that’s a big party night," said Jackson Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer, who added his department would have an extra DUI patrol on Wednesday as part of the task force. "I think the restaurants and tavern owners have catered to that to enhance their business."

Thanksgiving Eve also consistently ranks among the days with the highest alcohol-related traffic fatalities, according to Time Magazine.

As a reminder to all the lives lost to alcohol-related crashes, PennDOT also is teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association to hold a tribute to DUI victims at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the Sam’s Club in Mt. Nebo.

The event also will feature the DUI Moving Memorial a 25-foot wall with more than 1,000 names of victims of DUI crashes on it.

What’s Up with Thanksgiving Eve’s Designation as a Big Drinking Night?

According to DrinkPhilly.com, bar owners in nearly every U.S. city say they expect a big sales bump on Thanksgiving Eve.

So why is it such a big drinking night? Here are some of the site's best guesses.

• Duh! Nearly all Americans have Thanksgiving off
• No one wants to entertain at home the night before hosting a big turkey meal.
• Everyone is home for the holidays and they want to see old friends
• A hearty Thanksgiving dinner (think lots of starches and rich, fatty foods) is a great cure for a hangover

Do you plan to go out on Thanksgiving Eve? Why do you think it’s such a big drinking holiday? Are you worried about staying safe on the roads? Tell us in the comment section below.