CTDOT is
participating in National Passenger Safety Week from January 21 - 28 to
remind passengers to be empowered to speak up when an unsafe driver threatens
their lives.
NEWINGTON, CT – January 18, 2024 - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is joining more than 60 traffic safety and advocacy groups across the country to remind passengers to SPEAK UP during National Passenger Safety Week, which runs from January 21-28, 2024. Reckless behaviors, speeding, impaired, and distracted driving are increasing, and telling people to drive safely is not enough.
By speaking up, passengers show they care about the lives of their friends and family in the vehicle, the people in other vehicles, and the people walking or riding on the street. Choosing to intervene could save a life.
In Connecticut in 2021, the last year of verifiable data, 298 people were killed in crashes. 119 people were killed in speeding-related crashes, 112 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes and nine people were killed in distracted driving-related crashes.
“We need passengers to be safety advocates and feel empowered to SPEAK UP when confronted with an irresponsible driver. Passengers can stop a driver from getting behind the wheel when they’re impaired, they can tell the driver to slow down and put their seat belt on, and remind them to put the phone away,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “If a driver is being unsafe in any manner, passengers should SPEAK UP. Doing so could help prevent crashes and save lives.”
We Save Lives and The National Road Safety Foundation launched the National Passenger Safety Week campaign two years ago reminding passengers that they have a choice. The ongoing campaign aims to empower passengers to be safety advocates, so it becomes acceptable – even expected – for passengers to SPEAK UP when confronted with an irresponsible driver.
For more information about National Passenger Safety Week, please visit nationalpassengersafety.org.