The Wednesday before Thanksgiving marks a peak in risky driving across U.S. roads, according to new data from Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leader in smart mobility technology. Over the past five years, Verra’s data reveals, this pre-holiday Wednesday consistently records the most red-light violations of the Thanksgiving holiday period. Meanwhile, Thanksgiving Day itself has taken a darker distinction in recent years as the day with the most speeding violations, especially in the late morning hours.
Analyzing traffic patterns across communities in 21 states—including high-traffic regions like California, Florida, and New York—Verra Mobility’s data offers a stark look at a holiday tradition that often goes unnoticed. In 2023 alone, more than 57,000 red-light violations were recorded over the five-day holiday period, with the bulk of incidents occurring between noon and 4 p.m. on that fateful Wednesday.
But it’s not just red-light runners on the loose. This year, speeding violations over Thanksgiving weekend topped 150,000, with Thanksgiving Day standing out for the highest average speeding citations. Most of these violations occurred between 10 a.m. and noon, highlighting a risky trend for morning travelers on the holiday.
While red-light violations have continued to rise year-over-year since 2020, speeding citations have shown a slight downward trend since their 2021 peak. Nevertheless, car travel remains a risky endeavor during the holiday season. The National Safety Council projects that 507 lives could be lost on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving, and AAA estimates 49.1 million Americans will hit the road for their holiday destinations.
Jon Baldwin, Verra Mobility’s executive vice president of Government Solutions, underscores the dangers that accompany holiday travel. “The holidays bring an extra layer of distraction, which can contribute to more dangerous driving,” Baldwin notes. “With speeding contributing to one-third of all traffic deaths, it’s critical that everyone stays focused on following the rules of the road to avoid becoming a statistic.”
Verra Mobility’s mission to improve traffic safety is evident in its high-tech solutions. Their red-light safety cameras and speed safety camera programs are deployed across the country, utilizing advanced technology to detect and document violations in real time. The goal? To curb reckless driving behaviors and ultimately make roads safer for everyone.
This Thanksgiving, as millions of Americans set out on the nation’s highways, Verra Mobility urges drivers to remain vigilant. The best holiday gift? Arriving safely.