#United States #New York #Thanksgiving #Nexar #Driving Safety

Introduction

As families gear up for Thanksgiving, the roads anticipate a bustling week of travel. However, new research from Nexar, a leading AI-powered mobility solutions provider, reveals unexpected shifts in driving safety and behavior during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. By analyzing a colossal data set accumulated from over 100 million miles of real-world driving, Nexar has uncovered not only the safest times to travel but also the most dangerous, challenging traditional assumptions about holiday driving patterns.

Key Findings

The findings from Nexar illustrate a significant drop in traffic during the Thanksgiving week, with a nationwide decrease of 39%. Remarkably, Thanksgiving Day sees a staggering 54% reduction in vehicles on the road compared to a typical Thursday. While this decline might suggest safer driving conditions, it does not eliminate the risks entirely.
Traffic Trends:

• - Overall Traffic: 39% decrease across the country.
• - Thanksgiving Day Drop: 54% lower traffic levels than average Thursday.

Despite fewer cars, incidents reported throughout Thanksgiving week reveal a 31.5% reduction in collisions, showcasing a surprising trend: lighter traffic does not always correlate with lower risk. Nexar identifies two unexpected peaks of danger during the holiday:

• - Pre-Dinner Bump: Increased incidents around 6 PM.
• - Late-Night Spike: Significant rise from 10 PM to midnight, particularly at 11 PM which sees a 28% higher chance of incidents relative to the lower traffic volumes.

The Danger of 2 PM

In contrast to traditional peak hours, Nexar's analysis demonstrates that the most dangerous time to drive is now often at 2 PM. This conclusion emerges from observed patterns during the week leading up to Thanksgiving, indicating a need for heightened caution among travelers:

• - Early Peaks: Elevated risk identified between 1 PM and 5 PM prior to Thanksgiving.
• - Wednesday Patterns: Curiously, risk levels rise earlier, beginning at 10 AM.
• - Post-Lunch Risk: A consistent trend shows that 2 PM remains a risky interval across several holiday days, indicative of changing driving behaviors after lunch.

State-Level Variations

Further examination reveals that driving safety varies significantly by state. Washington D.C. stands out with a notable increase in dangerous driving incidents, while states like Wyoming and Hawaii report improvements in road safety. The report highlights:

• - Washington D.C. Incident Rates: Jumped from -0.66% to +6.68%, indicating a substantial increase in the risk factor.
• - Wyoming's Safety: A remarkable decline in incident propensity from +1.88% to –1%, showcasing a notable improvement in road conditions.

Conclusion

Nexar's findings underscore the complexities of holiday driving, illustrating how lighter traffic can still lead to heightened risk at unexpected times. Travelers are urged to exercise increased caution, particularly around 2 PM and during the early evening hours. As the holiday season approaches, understanding these trends can empower drivers to make safer choices on the road. For comprehensive insights and the latest data-driven recommendations, visit Nexar’s detailed Thanksgiving report at their website.

About Nexar

Nexar utilizes advanced AI technology to convert vehicles into vision sensors, providing critical insights into driving patterns and enhancing roadway safety through data analytics. Their work aims to inform not just individual drivers, but also communities and policymakers to develop more effective road safety strategies.