'Blackout Wednesday' Draws Extra Officers To Roads, Highways

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Extra officers are expected to be on the roads and highways Wednesday night in search of impaired drivers.

Dubbed "Blackout Wednesday," law enforcement officials say the night before Thanksgiving is a dangerous time to be on the roads.

"I think you're just out. I don't know. If you don't have to cook, you're at the bar," one bar patron told KCAL9's Rachel Kim.

As Kim reports, the day is known for binge drinking as people, especially college students, return home for the holidays.

"For the ones who can't go home, it's really depressing so all you want to do is go out with your friends, who live here, and you want to drink with them," said Brando Gibson, a Chicago resident.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving or MADD found, in recent years, the number of drunk driving deaths over the Thanksgiving holiday went up by 24 percent.

Bartender Devon Sweat agrees.

"I just think people like to come out and get all the drinking done before they go see their families. Just have a good time," he said.

Some law enforcement agencies say "Blackout Wednesday" rivals New Year's Eve for drinking.

Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County sheriff's department says they'll have extra officers on the roads and highways.