Increased Pre-Thanksgiving Incidents of Red-Light Running and Speeding Leading up to Thanksgiving Day
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Verra Mobility, a leading company in smart mobility technology, is urging drivers to stay safe on the roads. The executive vice president of Government Solutions at Verra Mobility, Jon Baldwin, has emphasized the dangers of holiday travel, particularly highlighting the risks of drunk driving and traffic violations related to congestion such as speeding and red-light running.
According to Verra Mobility's data, analyzed across communities in 21 states including high-traffic regions like California, Florida, and New York, the peak hours for traffic violations tend to occur during busy travel periods, with elevated incidents during late afternoons and early evenings when traffic volumes are highest, especially on key travel days such as the day before and immediately after Thanksgiving.
The most common traffic violations during the Thanksgiving holiday period in the U.S. are drunk driving (DUI) violations. Drunk drivers are involved in nearly one-third of all traffic deaths over the Thanksgiving holiday, with over 300 fatalities recorded in the 2022 Thanksgiving period and at least 833 deaths from 2018 to 2022 attributed to drunk driving during this holiday.
In 2023 alone, more than 57,000 red-light violations were recorded over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday period, with the bulk of incidents occurring between noon and 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This day consistently records the most red-light violations during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
As the number of Americans hitting the road for their holiday destinations reaches an estimated 49.1 million, according to AAA, it is crucial to prioritize safety. The National Safety Council projects that 507 lives could be lost on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving.
Baldwin stresses the importance of following the rules of the road to avoid traffic deaths, as speeding contributes to one-third of all traffic deaths. He also highlights distractions during holidays as a contributing factor to dangerous driving. Thanksgiving Day has taken a darker distinction in recent years as the day with the most speeding violations.
Verra Mobility's mission is to improve traffic safety through its technology-driven solutions. Their high-tech solutions are designed to curb reckless driving behaviors and make roads safer for everyone. Despite a slight downward trend since their 2021 peak, speeding citations remain high during the Thanksgiving holiday season.
In light of these statistics, Verra Mobility's best holiday gift is arriving safely at one's destination. They urge drivers to be vigilant during their Thanksgiving travel, prioritizing safety over speed and distractions. By doing so, we can all enjoy a safer holiday season on the roads.
The mobility technology industry, with prominent players like Verra Mobility, is becoming increasingly important in promoting safety during the holiday season, especially during high-traffic periods like Thanksgiving. In the automotive sector, finance and transportation industries should collaborate to educate drivers about the risks of drunk driving, speeding, and other traffic violations. By prioritizing safety, we can reduce fatalities and make the roads safer for everyone.
