Delaware Safety Council urges passengers to speak up, save lives

The Delaware Safety Council is joining with more than 70 traffic safety and advocacy groups nationwide to observe National Passenger Safety Week, Jan. 19-26. 

This critical lifesaving initiative empowers passengers to take an active role in promoting safety and preventing crashes by speaking up when confronted with dangerous driving behaviors. Reckless behaviors such as speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving continue to threaten lives across the nation and locally. Passengers have the power to prevent crashes and save lives by speaking up against unsafe driving practices.

Last year, 40,901 people died in crashes on American roads and highways. An estimated 3,308 people were killed in crashes that involved distracted drivers, and 289,310 were injured. There were 11,302 unbuckled passengers killed in crashes and 13,524 people involved in traffic deaths related to alcohol-impaired driving.

In Delaware, 132 people were killed in crashes last year. Of those, there were 219 speed-related crashes, with 12 fatalities, and 866 alcohol-impaired crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities, according to Delaware’s Annual Traffic Statistical Report 2024. 

“When people understand the dangers of impaired, distracted, aggressive or drowsy driving, they’re more likely to speak up as passengers,” said Stacey Inglis, executive director and CEO of the Delaware Safety Council. “National Passenger Safety Week empowers passengers to call out unsafe driving before crashes happen. Speaking up can save lives – even your own.” 

The National Road Safety Foundation spearheads National Passenger Safety Week. The initiative highlights the critical role passengers play in roadway safety and encourages them to challenge unsafe driving behaviors. The campaign’s Courage to Intervene Promise serves as a guiding pledge to: 1) Stop drivers from driving buzzed, drunk or drugged; 2) Refuse to ride with impaired drivers; 3) Discourage drivers from using cellphones while driving; and 4) Intervene to prevent unsafe driving, prioritizing safety for everyone on the road. 

The Delaware Safety Council was established in 1919 by DuPont Company President Irénée du Pont. It was the first state safety council in the country. The council is a private, nongovernmental, nonprofit 501(c)(3) safety education and training organization. Its mission is to promote protection and safety in the workplace, in schools, on the roadways and railways, and in the community by actively providing safety education and training programs. 

More information about the Delaware Safety Council and its programs is available at linktr.ee/302safety, or by calling 302-276-0660 or emailing contact@delawaresafety.org.