WASHINGTON, D.C. – As tens of millions of Americans prepare to drive to their Thanksgiving celebrations, the Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition is urging the nation’s transportation policy leaders to advance solutions that will make America’s roads safer, smarter, and more efficient.
Thanksgiving consistently ranks among the busiest and deadliest travel days of the year. This year, AAA forecasts nearly 82 million Americans will travel for the holiday, with 90 percent expected to travel by car, resulting in more than 1.3 million more people on the roads compared to last year.
“Thanksgiving brings friends and families together, placing millions of people on our roads at the same time. That high-volume surge reminds us why we need to put roadway safety front and center, and help more drivers arrive safely to enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday,” MARS Coalition executive director Andrew Rogers said.
A recent driving analysis released by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) found that distracted driving increases by more than 10 percent on Thanksgiving compared to similar days in the surrounding weeks, with higher risks on Thanksgiving Eve and Black Friday. This increase in distracted and impaired driving contributes to higher fatality rates during those holiday periods, according to the National Safety Council.
“Our country’s transportation leaders can’t prevent every tragedy, but they hold the keys to making America’s roads safer, smarter, and more efficient. As Congress develops the next highway funding bill, they should expand access to AI, telematics, predictive analytics, and other proven solutions already delivering life-saving, measurable results in communities nationwide,” Rogers continued. “We know what’s at stake. We just need to equip transportation leaders with the technologies to plan, build, and maintain safer roads before tragedy strikes.”
As members of Congress begin to develop the next surface transportation reauthorization legislation, MARS is advocating for U.S. policymakers to prioritize funding and programs that encourage federal, state, and local transportation leaders to adopt those innovations.
About Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition
Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) is a coalition of industry leaders, safety advocates, and technology innovators focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to prevent crashes before they occur. By utilizing telematics, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics, MARS empowers policymakers to implement solutions that curb dangerous driving behaviors, optimize infrastructure design, and save lives.
