U.S. roadway deaths are rising again at an alarming rate. People are still driving recklessly. Drunk, drugged and distracted driving are on the rise. Just telling people to drive safely isn’t enough. We need to do more. We can do more! Passengers need to play a more active role in their own safety and that of others. Passengers need to be empowered to speak up and have the Courage to Intervene when their lives are threatened by an unsafe driver.

That is why We Save Lives and the National Road Safety Foundation have launched The National Passenger Safety Campaign. Our goal is to promote safe driving practices and prevent unsafe ones when we see them by empowering passengers to “SPEAK UP” when their lives are in danger from a reckless driver.

You have a choice! By speaking up you share that you care about the lives of your friends, family members and even strangers. We urge you – choose to stay safe by intervening.

People across the country are signing the Courage to Intervene Promise and letting everyone know they will not ride with anyone who is drunk, drugged, distracted.

Statistics show that in 2019:

• 62% of all traffic fatalities are passengers.¹
• 13% of those who died in alcohol related fatalities were passengers
• 53% of children killed in alcohol related crashes were passengers.

Do You Know with Whom Your Teen is Riding?

Melinda Lynam will never forget the day when she learned that her daughter, Laura, was killed in a crash as a passenger in a car with 7 teens including the 16-year-old driver. Under the Graduated Driver Licensing Law in Virginia, the driver was only allowed one extra person who wasn’t a family member. Unbeknownst to Melinda, Laura and her friends had decided to all ride in one car. Despite the driver’s age and restrictions, two mothers watched as their children piled into the car. Neither parent expressed any concern over the number of passengers or the inexperience of the driver. If they had, Laura might be alive today.

Traditionally, students learn about distracted driving in high school, at or just before they will get their licenses. End Distracted Driving and Safe Roads Alliance didn’t want to wait until teens are ready to drive to teach them about distracted driving. Working with elementary teachers and experts, the program helps parents and educators teach students about the dangers of distracted driving and pedestrian safety. Students are taught to recognize when their drivers are distracted and how to respectfully, using “I” statements, speak up and ask drivers to put their phones down.

We need your help in creating a generation of kids who won’t drive distracted when they do get their licenses.