West Virginia (WOAY) The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program joins over 70 traffic safety and advocacy groups nationwide to observe National Passenger Safety Week, running January 19-26.
We Save Lives, and the National Road Safety Foundation leads the initiative that encourages passengers to speak up when drivers engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding, driving impaired, or driving distracted.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40,900 people died on U.S. roads last year.
National data also shows over 11,000 unbuckled passengers died in crashes, with passengers accounting for nearly a quarter of all passenger vehicle fatalities.
In West Virginia alone, the state reported a preliminary 256 roadway deaths in 2024.
Safety leaders say passengers can play a critical role in preventing crashes by calmly speaking up, offering alternatives, or refusing to ride with impaired or distracted drivers.
National passenger safety week highlights the courage to intervene, encouraging passengers to stop impaired driving, discourage cell phone use behind the wheel, and prioritize safety for everyone in the vehicle.
More information and tips on how to speak up can be found at nationalpassengersafety.org.
