Thanksgiving brings families together across Maryland, but it also brings one of the highest spikes in DUI arrests of the entire year. With bars packed on Thanksgiving Eve, families celebrating late into the night, and long drives home after holiday gatherings, police departments across the state shift into high-enforcement mode. For many drivers, this means an increased chance of being stopped, questioned, or even arrested for suspected drunk driving, sometimes after having far less to drink than they realize.
The Banner recently reported that AAA expects more than 1.5 million Marylanders to travel for Thanksgiving this year, with 91% traveling by car. With that surge in roadway traffic comes a sharp rise in impaired-driving enforcement. In fact, for each of the last three years, the week of Thanksgiving has ranked among Maryland’s top 10 weeks for traffic stops that led to DUI arrests.
Last year alone, 53 people were arrested for impaired driving across the state during Thanksgiving week. In fact, Thanksgiving Day tied for the third-most DUI arrests of any day that year, surpassing even holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and July Fourth.
At Maronick Law, we understand how quickly a holiday celebration can turn into a criminal charge and how overwhelming it feels when you’re suddenly facing a DUI during what should be the most enjoyable time of the year.
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Why Thanksgiving Weekend Leads to More DUI Arrests in Maryland
“Blackout Wednesday” Crowds
The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest drinking nights nationwide. Maryland bars, restaurants, and college-town nightlife see massive turnout, and police know to expect a surge in impaired-driving allegations.
As more people crowd into bars and restaurants on this single night, the number of impaired drivers on the road naturally increases, which is why law enforcement consistently treats Thanksgiving Eve as one of the highest-risk times for drunk driving incidents.
Late-Night Travel
People often leave family gatherings late in the evening or in the early morning hours when visibility is low, fatigue sets in, and police patrols are heightened.
More Out-of-Town Drivers
Holiday travel means unfamiliar roads, missed turns, abrupt lane changes, and driving errors that can draw police attention even when a driver is not impaired.
Aggressive Enforcement
Maryland agencies routinely increase DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, and holiday-specific enforcement campaigns.
According to the article, Montgomery County’s holiday DUI task force “quadruples” its resources between mid-November and early January. Last year, that task force alone made 244 DUI arrests during the holiday enforcement push. Statewide data also showed that during Thanksgiving week in 2023 and 2024, more than three out of every five arrests made after a traffic stop were for impaired driving, something that happened only eight times total over 365 weeks from 2018 to 2024.
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Common Situations That Lead to Thanksgiving DUI Arrests
Drivers are often surprised to learn how quickly ordinary holiday scenarios turn into criminal cases:
- Having a drink or two at dinner before driving home
- Being stopped for minor traffic violations (burned-out headlight, rolling stop, lane drift)
- Out-of-state guests misjudging Maryland’s strict DUI laws
- Fatigue or holiday stress mimicking signs of impairment
- Misleading results from roadside breath tests
- Unreliable field sobriety tests performed in cold weather or poor lighting
A DUI arrest doesn’t always reflect dangerous or reckless behavior. In fact, many cases stem from misunderstandings, subjective observations, and police assumptions made during a busy holiday night.
What to Do If You Are Stopped for Suspected DUI Over Thanksgiving
Remain polite and calm.
Aggression or nervous rambling can worsen the situation.
Know you do not have to answer incriminating questions.
You can calmly say, “I prefer not to answer questions.”
You may decline field sobriety tests.
These tests are voluntary, and many factors, including fatigue, cold weather and medical conditions, can affect performance.
Chemical test refusal has consequences.
Under Maryland’s implied consent law, refusing a breath test can trigger license suspension. Know your rights and risk tolerance.
Ask to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
The earlier a lawyer becomes involved, the stronger your defense may be.
You should also avoid volunteering details about how much you drank, where you were, or how long you have been driving. Even small comments meant to sound harmless or cooperative can end up in a police report and be used to strengthen the prosecution’s case later.
A DUI Charge Does Not Mean You Will Be Convicted
Holiday DUI cases often involve issues that can be challenged, including:
- Inaccurate breath test readings
- Faulty or improperly calibrated equipment
- Unlawful traffic stops
- Improperly conducted field sobriety tests
- Misinterpretation of fatigue or stress as impairment
- Weather conditions affecting driving or testing
- Flawed police observations
- Rights violations during the stop, testing, or arrest
A skilled criminal defense attorney can analyze these factors, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and work toward reducing or dismissing the charges. This is especially true during high-enforcement periods like Thanksgiving, when officers may be handling more stops than usual and mistakes, shortcuts, or procedural errors are more likely to occur.
DUI Penalties in Maryland During and After the Holidays
If a Thanksgiving stop leads to a DUI or DWI conviction in Maryland, the consequences can extend far beyond the holiday weekend. For a first DUI, a driver can face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, 12 points on their driving record, and a potential license revocation of up to six months. A first DWI, which is treated as a lesser offense, can still carry up to 60 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, 8 points on the license, and a possible six-month suspension.
Penalties become more severe with each additional offense. A second DUI can mean up to two years in jail and higher fines, as well as longer license consequences and mandatory participation in Maryland’s ignition interlock program. Repeat offenses, high blood alcohol levels, crashes involving injuries, or having a minor in the vehicle can all lead to enhanced penalties and stricter monitoring.
On top of the criminal penalties, drivers can face higher insurance premiums, employment issues, and limits on professional opportunities. This is why it is so important to treat any holiday DUI charge seriously and speak with a defense attorney as quickly as possible.
Facing a Thanksgiving DUI in Maryland? Maronick Law Can Help.
A drunk-driving arrest during the holidays can be stressful and frightening, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Maronick Law defends individuals throughout Maryland who are facing DUI and DWI charges, and we understand the unique challenges that come with holiday enforcement periods.
We examine every aspect of the stop, the testing, and the arrest to protect your rights and build a strong defense.
Contact Maronick Law today at 443-551-2747 for a confidential consultation. Our firm represents clients throughout Maryland, including Towson, Ocean City, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, and the surrounding communities.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.