This is National Passenger Safety Week, a week to highlight the crucial role passengers play in preventing traffic fatalities.

 The campaign encourages passengers to “speak up” when drivers engage in reckless behaviors, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or distracted driving.

 According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, passengers accounted for 24% of deadly crashes in 2020.

 Advocates stress that passenger intervention can prevent many of these tragedies.

 Director of operations at The National Road Safety Foundation Michelle Anderson says it’s okay to be a back-seat driver, when it comes to saving lives.

 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving alone killed an estimated 3,308 people in 2022 and injured nearly 290,000 more, underscoring the urgency of passenger involvement.

 National Passenger Safety Week provides resources, tips, and local statistics to empower passengers to take action and make roads safer.