Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer November 2025: Being Thankful for Safe Choices
Gratitude and
Ask A Teen Influencer!
What is “Blackout Wednesday”?
Smart Decisions
Hear from MADD teen influencers as they share real advice for coping with stress and making smart decisions.
This Thanksgiving, show gratitude through action by staying substance- free and protecting what matters most.
Discover why the night before Thanksgiving has become one of the most dangerous days to be on the road.
1
by Jaaniya Dhillon, MADD Teen Influencer A Time for Appreciation and Awareness
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for our blessings in life, but also to be mindful of our safety. Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous times on the road in the U.S. According to U.S. News & World Report, between 2017 and 2021, 2,456 people died in motor vehicle crashes over the Thanksgiving period. This surpasses the number of fatalities over the Fourth of July, Christmas, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. This is due to a multitude of reasons such as impaired driving, adverse weather conditions, and speeding
Having these statistics in mind, it’s crucial to remember that one reckless decision can change multiple lives. This holiday season, MADD encourages everyone to celebrate safely and show gratitude to others by making healthy decisions that won’t negatively impact their lives. For teen drivers, this is a time to step up and lead by example. Choosing to stay substance-free behind the wheel, denying rides from impaired drivers, and speaking up against intoxicated driving shows true strength and inspires others. Remember, gratitude isn’t just passive appreciation; it’s an active choice to protect what we value most: our lives, our futures, and one another.
MADD Teen Influencer
November 2025
How Gratitude Can Help You Resist Peer Pressure
When the pressure to fit in takes over, it’s easy to forget what risky decisions can pull us away from. Focusing on things to be thankful for makes us more likely to protect those things. Remembering that one risky choice can lead to losing everything makes saying “no” easier. Gratitude builds confidence in decisions and reminds us of what truly matters.
Holiday Safety Tips
Plan ahead: Always know how you will get home before the night starts. Step up for your friends and family: If someone around you is drinking, make sure they get home safely. Put your phone down: Wait until you’re parked to get on your phone. Don’t drive tired: If you’re feeling exhausted, find another way to get home. Don’t speed: It’s better to arrive late rather than not arrive at all.
“Buzzed Driving” is Still Drunk Dr iving A common misconception is that having “just a couple of drinks” is harmless and doesn’t affect driving. A “buzzed” driver usually feels confident in their ability; however, the effects of alcohol start to manifest with a BAC of 0.02%. Loss of judgment and a decline in the driver’s ability to track moving objects occur, which puts the driver at risk of making fatal mistakes behind the wheel. If a person feels slightly “buzzed”, they’re already too impaired to drive safely.
MADD Teen Influencer
November 2025
2
by Ben Haworth, MADD Teen Influencer Thanksgiving Traditions, College, and Drinking
It’s almost that time of year again for Thanksgiving. The holiday is one known for gathering with family and friends, expressing gratitude, and, for me personally, taking a break from the hectic pace of my first year of college. However, in recent years, the growing trend I recently learned about has changed the holiday to a more negative one. The night before Thanksgiving–Blackout Wednesday- has become synonymous in various communities for heavy drinking and potential risks like drunk driving.
More people are out driving than usual during the holidays in general. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2016 to 2020, 138 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve were alcohol-impaired. Young people are particularly at risk: Drivers ages 21-24 represented the largest percentage (44%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2016 and 2020 on Thanksgiving Eve. In many ways, Blackout Wednesday is a perfect storm of problematic drinking behaviors. Between justified binge drinking and bar promotions, the surge of overconsumption comes with a variety of potentially dangerous consequences. These include normalizing binge drinking, adding to problematic drinking habits and addiction, and putting driver safety at risk.
Ask A Teen Influencer Looking for some advice? Submit questions anonymously with the link below or by clicking on the icon to the left. MADD Teen Influencers may respond to your question on the next episode of Healthy Teen Talks! TINYURL.COM/MADDTEENADVICE
MADD Teen Influencer
November 2025
When it comes to drinking events like Blackout Wednesday, people rationalize that it’s appropriate to binge drink. People think that this type of drinking is OK since it’s not chronic, which minimizes its danger. Binge drinking and addiction don’t automatically go together, but the more someone justifies problematic drinking, the easier it is to develop an alcohol-use disorder later. According to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, people who start drinking before the age of 15 are 5.6 times more likely to have an alcohol addiction later in life than those who wait until the age of 21 or later to begin drinking.
It has become such a widespread issue that local police nationwide have begun ramping up efforts with DUI checkpoints. In California, for example, the California Highway Patrol will activate its annual Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period, which will run from 6:01 p.m. Wednesday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
“Thanksgiving is a time for families and tradition, and each of us can do our part to prevent these 100 percent preventable tragedies,” said MADD's former National President Colleen Sheehey-Church, whose 18-year-old son Dustin was killed in a teen drunk and drugged crash. If you have young people in your life, like younger siblings, talk to them about drinking alcohol. If they are under the age of 21, make sure they understand that it is illegal for them to drink alcohol. Teach them that any alcohol is off limits to them and to their friends.
This Thanksgiving, I will be returning home to see old classmates and family. In place of alcohol at parties, my friends are planning to open up their homes for a game, pizza, or movie night. Going out for a round of mini-golf, to the movies, or bowling is a fun and safe alternative to Blackout Wednesday. Give yourself permission to have fun, relax, and reconnect with old friends, but in a space to hang out in an alcohol-free environment.
MADD Teen Influencer
November 2025
Kahoot! As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on what we’re truly grateful for. Between the rush of school, sports, and everything else life throws at us, we sometimes forget to slow down and appreciate the little things like laughter with friends, warm family dinners, or even just a quiet moment to breathe. Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s as simple as writing down a few things you’re thankful 3 for each day or letting someone know how much they mean to you. Gratitude reminds us of all the good that surrounds us, even on stressful days. by Karma Herrera, MADD Teen Influencer Thanksgiving is also a great reminder to make safe and responsible choices, especially as the holiday celebrations begin. Instead of risky or unsafe activities, find fun, drug- and alcohol-free ways to spend time with family and friends. Try hosting a Thanksgiving movie marathon, baking pies or cookies together, having a game night, or volunteering at a local food drive or shelter. Giving back is one of the best ways to feel thankful and connected to your community. If the holidays ever start to feel overwhelming, remember to take care of yourself, too. Go on a walk, listen to music, or journal about what’s been going well lately. It’s okay to rest; you don’t have to do it all. Taking time to recharge helps you show up as your best self for the people you love. Slowing down, Gratitude, and Fun Activities
Check us out on YouTube and be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our Healthy Teen Talks podcast!
This Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, let’s celebrate what really matters, like gratitude, connection, and safety. Making healthy, drug-free choices not only protects you, but also keeps your friends, family, and community safe. Together, we can make this season full of joy, kindness, and thankful hearts.
Have a safe, happy, and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!
MADD Teen Influencer
November 2025
Main Takeaways 1. Thanksgiving is one of the riskiest holidays to drive. 2. Risky decisions can take what’s most important to us away. 3. Plan your designated driver ahead of time because “buzzed” driving is still drunk driving. 4. “Blackout Wednesday” poses serious risks. 5. Gratitude promotes safe and healthy choices.
Check us out on YouTube and be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our Healthy Teen Talks podcast!
MADD's mission is to end drunk and drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other drug use. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage substance use, these teens will help MADD end impaired driving.
@MADDCalifornia
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online