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303 DWI arrests were made in Minnesota between 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 8 a.m. Saturday morning, the Minnesota State Patrol said.

The night before Thanksgiving is often referred to as “Blackout Wednesday” and is a popular night for party goers to hit the bars. It’s also one of the deadliest drinking days of the year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

On a typical Wednesday evening there are 47 DWI arrests, the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety said. On “Blackout Wednesday” that number jumped to 137.

More than 800 people have died in alcohol related crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period since 2012, the NHTSA reported. That makes Thanksgiving the deadliest holiday on U.S. roads.

On average there are 137 DWI arrests made in Minnesota on Thanksgiving day, the Office of Traffic Safety announced via Twitter.

More than 300 departments across Minnesota will have extra patrols to help prevent DWI’s through December 30.


“Please, please make good choices,” Minneapolis Police Sgt. Michal told Fox 9. “We can do it. Each and every single one of us can do it. Don't get behind the wheel after you consume alcohol.”

A DWI offense can result in thousands of dollars in fines, a driver’s license suspension, driving restrictions and possible jail time.

Sgt. Michal lost her daughter to a drunk driver. You can hear her story below.