Nassau Police Increasing DWI Patrols For 'Blackout Wednesday'

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The night before Thanksgiving, known as "Blackout Wednesday," can be a very dangerous time to be on the roads, Nassau County officials warned.

"There are more fatal crashes over Thanksgiving than any other holiday," Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas told reporters, including WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs, on Wednesday.

Bars promote Thanksgiving Eve drink specials targeted at young adults, which leads to more drunken driving, Singas said.

"And Blackout Wednesday is as dangerous as it sounds," she said.

As a result, Nassau County police are beefing up DWI patrols for the holiday weekend.

Thomas Krumpter, acting police commissioner, offered a reminder of what it's like to get arrested for driving drunk.

"Your license will be suspended. It's something you'll live with," Krumpter said. "It's a bad decision you'll have to live with for a long time."