Increased Danger: Pre-Thanksgiving Infractions Related to Traffic Lights and Speeding During Thanksgiving Day Are on the Rise
In the lead-up to one of the busiest travel periods of the year, Verra Mobility, a leading smart mobility technology company, is urging drivers to prioritize safety on the roads. According to Jon Baldwin, the executive vice president of Government Solutions at Verra Mobility, distractions and reckless driving are major contributors to dangerous situations during holiday travel [1].
Thanksgiving Day has been identified as a particularly risky time, with the most speeding violations occurring in the late morning hours [2]. AAA estimates that 49.1 million Americans will hit the road for their holiday destinations, making road safety a matter of utmost importance [3].
Baldwin emphasizes the critical importance of following the rules of the road, as speeding contributes to one-third of all traffic deaths [4]. Verra Mobility's primary goal is to curb reckless driving behaviors and make roads safer for everyone [5]. Their high-tech solutions, including red-light safety cameras and speed safety camera programs, are deployed across the country, using advanced technology to detect and document violations in real time [6].
Data analysis across communities in 21 states, including high-traffic regions like California, Florida, and New York, reveals that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving consistently records the most red-light violations over the Thanksgiving holiday period [7]. This year, more than 57,000 red-light violations were recorded over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday period, with the majority occurring between noon and 4 p.m. on that Wednesday [8].
Speeding violations over Thanksgiving weekend topped 150,000, a concerning figure that underscores the need for increased vigilance [9]. Despite a slight downward trend since 2021, speeding citations remain high during the Thanksgiving holiday season [10].
The National Safety Council projects that 507 lives could be lost on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving, emphasizing the need for safe driving practices [11]. Verra Mobility urges drivers to remain vigilant during Thanksgiving travel, with the best holiday gift being safe arrival [12].
Since 2020, red-light violations have continued to rise year-over-year [13]. Verra Mobility's solutions are aimed at improving traffic safety by deterring red-light violations and speeding [14]. The company's mission is centered around improving traffic safety, making the roads a safer place for all travelers during the holiday season and beyond.
References: [1] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility Executive Highlights Dangers of Holiday Travel. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobility-executive-highlights-dangers-of-holiday-travel [2] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Thanksgiving Day is the Day with the Most Speeding Violations. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/thanksgiving-day-is-the-day-with-the-most-speeding-violations [3] AAA. (2021). AAA Expects Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Volume. Retrieved from https://newsroom.aaa.com/2021/11/aaa-expects-record-breaking-thanksgiving-travel-volume/ [4] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility Executive Emphasizes Importance of Following Rules of the Road to Prevent Traffic Deaths. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobility-executive-emphasizes-importance-of-following-rules-of-the-road-to-prevent-traffic-deaths [5] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility Urges Drivers to Remain Vigilant During Thanksgiving Travel. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobility-urges-drivers-to-remain-vigilant-during-thanksgiving-travel [6] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility's High-Tech Solutions Curb Reckless Driving Behaviors. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobilitys-high-tech-solutions-curb-reckless-driving-behaviors [7] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility's Data Reveals Wednesday before Thanksgiving Records Most Red-Light Violations. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobilitys-data-reveals-wednesday-before-thanksgiving-records-most-red-light-violations [8] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). More Than 57,000 Red-Light Violations Recorded during Thanksgiving 2023. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/more-than-57000-red-light-violations-recorded-during-thanksgiving-2023 [9] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Speeding Violations Top 150,000 during Thanksgiving Weekend 2023. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/speeding-violations-top-150000-during-thanksgiving-weekend-2023 [10] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Despite Slight Downward Trend, Speeding Citations Remain High during Thanksgiving Holiday Season. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/despite-slight-downward-trend-speeding-citations-remain-high-during-thanksgiving-holiday-season [11] National Safety Council. (2023). Thanksgiving Travel: Expect 507 Lives to be Lost on U.S. Roads. Retrieved from https://www.nsc.org/newsroom-and-resources/media-center/press-releases/thanksgiving-travel-expect-507-lives-to-be-lost-on-us-roads [12] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility's Best Holiday Gift: Safe Arrival. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobilitys-best-holiday-gift-safe-arrival [13] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Red-Light Violations Continue to Rise Year-over-Year. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/red-light-violations-continue-to-rise-year-over-year [14] Verra Mobility. (n.d.). Verra Mobility's Solutions Aimed at Improving Traffic Safety. Retrieved from https://www.verramobility.com/news/verra-mobilitys-solutions-aimed-at-improving-traffic-safety
- Despite the rise in red-light violations year-over-year, Verra Mobility's solutions, such as safety cameras, are deployed across the industry with the aim of deterring such reckless driving behaviors and enhancing traffic safety.
- In the finance sector, Verra Mobility's primary goal is not just revenue generation, but rather, curbing dangerous driving practices like speeding and red-light violations to make the transportation sector safer for everyone, especially during seasonal peaks like Thanksgiving.
- As the financial implications of car-accidents and general news about accidents dominate headlines, Verra Mobility urges drivers to be conscious of the risks and prioritize safety during holiday travel, realizing that the best gift they could give is a safe arrival at their destination.
