Good Day at 4

National Passenger Safety Week empowers passengers to speak up

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – National Passenger Safety Week is encouraging passengers to take an active role in preventing traffic crashes by speaking up when their safety is at risk. The campaign, launched by We Save Lives and The National Road Safety Foundation, aims to reduce fatalities caused by reckless driving behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.

Passenger vehicle occupants accounted for 24% of nationwide crash fatalities in 2020, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Distracted driving alone resulted in over 3,300 deaths and nearly 290,000 injuries in 2022. Advocates emphasize that speaking up can save lives. The campaign includes social media outreach, educational materials, and a “Courage to Intervene” promise. More than 60 organizations, including SADD and the National Safety Council, support the initiative.