Thanksgiving in New York is like nowhere else on earth. It’s a widespread celebration, and visitors travel from all over the world to take part in the fast-paced festive atmosphere and experience the joyful energy of the Big Apple. But most of all, it’s a time to be grateful and truly reflect on all the good we have in our lives. Many of us hold the same tradition – we sit around the table with family and friends and one by one offer a few words about what we are thankful for this year. More often than not, we emphasize health, happiness, love and affection. We may thank the cooks for the delicious food, we may thank our relatives who travelled hundreds of miles to be with us. The hope is that we all feel a little gratitude about being happy, healthy, and safe. However, the holiday season also marks a period when certain risks and dangers are at an all time high. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for commuters.  The number of automobiles increases on streets and highways in New York. Whether you’re headed to visit family, or going out to celebrate with friends,  be aware that some motorists are getting behind the wheel after having one too many drinks. Impaired drivers coupled with the possibility of inclement weather are a recipe for disaster. Accidents can happen resulting in serious injuries or death. In an effort to combat this issue, this past Saturday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced there will be an emphasis on law enforcement patrols across the state to target impaired and reckless driving “Thanksgiving is the beginning of the busy holiday season with thousands of people traveling to gather and celebrate with friends and family,” Governor Hochul said. “Those celebrations should not be marred by tragedy caused by impaired or reckless driving on our roadways.” Just last year at this time, there were approximately 1,700 arrests made for impaired drivers, and north of 10,000 tickets issued for speeding. You may think only have a few drinks is no big harm even if you have had time to sober up before getting behind the wheel  However, if you are caught you could lose your license and lose your motor vehicle insurance coverage altogether and face a fine of up to $10,000 dollars. Worst of all, you are putting yourself, your loved ones, and unassuming strangers at risk. If you plan on drinking, strongly consider using mass transportation, call an Uber or taxi cab, or have a designated driver. And remember, while you are off celebrating, there are many workers still on the clock performing essential tasks. Give thanks to those same taxi cab drivers, Uber drivers, and MTA train operators we rely on to get us to those parties on time and return us home safely. If you happen to be working on Thanksgiving yourself,  here are a few simple suggestions to keep in mind. They could save you from suffering an accident and help avoid a serious injury while working these long and demanding hours:

• Tell your employer right away if you feel something at work is hazardous or unsafe. It is not worth risking your health if a situation is too dangerous.
• Talk to your employer or co-workers if you feel you are having issues staying alert and awake on the job. Working while fatigued can endanger you and the lives of others.

The last thing any of us want is for Thanksgiving to become an unpleasant experience. Have fun, give thanks, and celebrate – but please do so responsibly. Most of all, be thankful and appreciative of those hard working New Yorkers around you.