National Passenger Safety Week, recognized annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the last week of January, will occur Jan. 20-27, 2025. Supporters believe that “One courageous voice can change one deadly choice.” We Save Lives and The National Road Safety Foundation launched National Passenger Safety Week and the coalition includes 60 other organizations.

NPSW is asking law enforcement leaders and officers to record short videos educating the public on how to SPEAK UP!

Here’s a sample script:

“Hello. I’m Officer Jones from the Middletown, Iowa, police department. Too many times I have experienced the tragedy from crashes when a passenger is critically injured or dies because a driver made a dangerous driving choice. Passengers have the right to protect themselves from harm. We encourage passengers to SPEAK UP!

Please provide a tip for passengers that you would like to pass on.

For example, you could say:

• Passengers if you see a driver is impaired, ask them to give you the keys. If they won’t, do not get in the car, find another way home.
• Passengers let your driver know before you get in the car that you expect them to focus on their driving and not on their cellphones.
• Passengers, drivers are not safe when using marijuana and driving.  If you can’t keep them from driving do not get in the car. We have seen the results.

These are just some examples. You may have many other Individual units, departments, and agencies can become partners by posting messages on social media and using the hashtag #safepassengers

They can also send their logo and website address to the National Passenger Safety Week campaign, which organizers will add to the NPSW website.

CONTACT:

Candace Lightner

info@wesavelives.org