Missouri Warns of Thanksgiving’s Unexpected Driving Danger Time

Thanksgiving is one of the most busy travel holidays of the year. The Missouri Highway Patrol is warning about an unexpected time when they see the most accidents and it's not Thanksgiving Day either.

This new warning just days ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday by the Missouri Highway Patrol includes data that I was not aware of. They say that over the past four years from 2019 through 2023, 53 Missourians lost their lives during one specific driving time over the holiday weekend and it's probably not what you'd think.

Answer? What the Missouri Highway Patrol refers to as "Blackout Wednesday".

Why the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the most dangerous travel time in Missouri

It's the fact that so many different types of drivers are on the road at the same time. You have some families traveling to gathering destinations to prepare for the next day. You have many individuals who gather at bars for celebrations on that Wednesday night. It means that it's a night full of distractions and drivers in a hurry which creates a perfect storm of tragic potential.

“Tragedies like these are almost always preventable, and there are simple actions everyone can take to prevent them,” said Jon Nelson, State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer. “Buckle up, put down your phone, slow down, and never drive impaired. If we all commit to these four actions every day, we can all enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday with zero traffic fatalities.”

Another factor this Thanksgiving is the possibility of precipitation in the form of rain or snow or a combination of both. All the more reason to elevate your driving attention and caution if you're planning to be on the road in Missouri over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.