National Passenger Safety Week to begin January 21

JACKSON, Tenn. — Have you ever been in the car with a distracted driver? 

National Passenger Safety Week runs from January 21 through January 28, and this time of awareness first began in 2022. 

“Passengers account for about 24% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. And so the passenger plays a very vital role in the vehicle. You’re not just seeing the vehicle to get from one destination to the other, but you actually hold the responsibility while you’re in that vehicle,” said Michelle Anderson, the Director of Operations at the National Road Safety Foundation.

We Save Lives and the National Road Safety Foundation both came together to empower passengers to speak up when they see what could be a dangerous situation involving their driver. 

Some examples of these driver situations include drowsiness, being impaired, texting, or speeding.

If you are unsure of what to say, Anderson has a few ideas.

“Listen, can you please not do what it is that they may be doing? And let them know that you’re there for them. You will be their personal secretary. And you will take that text message and answer it for them or that phone call. Or if they’re speeding, tell them that you care about their life, you care about your life, and you want them to slow down,” Anderson said.

During this week and beyond, you can find material to get involved in the drive and build up your confidence when telling someone the importance of safely being behind the wheel. 

For more information, click here.

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