Tips Tuesday: Move Over Month
January 7, 2026
| National Passenger Safety Week is January 19-24. Added to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calendar in 2023, National Passenger Safety Week is an ongoing campaign that unites partners from all over the country to help passengers make simple safe travel choices and use their voices to encourage drivers to do the same. Whether running errands with a loved one, mentoring a young driver, or road tripping with friends, passenger safety matters on every ride. According to NHTSA’s 2023 data, there were 40,901 motor vehicle traffic fatalities, with passenger-vehicle occupants accounting for 23,959 – approximately 59% – of those lost (source). Looking more into the details behind this data, approximately half of passenger vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained (source). Teen drivers were involved in 2,611 of passenger vehicle occupant deaths, with 14.4% of those occupants being other teens riding with a teen driver (source). Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that passengers accounted for roughly 24% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2023. Passenger protection involves straightforward actions like buckling up, limiting distractions, and riding in the safest seat. It can also include a more difficult action: knowing when and how to speak up if a ride becomes unsafe. If a driver is distracted, tired, drunk, or impaired, passengers can help reduce risk by addressing concerns early and keeping the focus on getting everyone home safely. Raising Internal Awareness: No matter what office you officially call “home,” we all can play a role in supporting safety – Use the attached Safety Moment Slide to raise awareness of National Passenger Safety Week. A simple reminder that passengers – not just drivers – have a role in keeping every ride safe! – Solve the attached crossword puzzle to reinforce themes and phrases that support safety for all vehicle occupants. Share with your colleagues to test their knowledge and talk about what passenger safety means to you. In the Community: Grass-roots outreach efforts greatly improve safety messaging effectiveness – these one-on-one conversations have far-reaching impacts – Normalize quick safety check-ins before carpools, group rides, or shared trips by confirming everyone is buckled, keeping volumes reasonable, and minimizing distractions. – Help remove pressure from risky situations by supporting decisions to slow down, take a pause, or change plans when conditions shift. – Talk with teen drivers and passengers in your life about occupant protection and shared responsibility in a vehicle. NHTSA research shows teen drivers are more likely to engage in potentially risky driving behaviors when carrying multiple passengers (source). Having open conversations about how to remain safe in a vehicle can go a long way in protecting teen passengers. – Share resources from the Florida Occupant Protection Coalition and Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition on how to make sure every ride is a safe one. In Your Everyday Life: Even when you’re not “on-the-clock,” there are ways to improve safety culture in Florida – Buckle up every time, in every seat, regardless of where you are sitting or trip length. – Avoid behaviors that distract a driver, and help maintain a calm, focused driving environment. – If a ride becomes unsafe, speak up early and clearly. – Offer to send messages, make calls, or manage navigation for the driver. – Suggest taking breaks or switching drivers before fatigue becomes an issue. – Arrange a safe alternative ride when needed. – Plan long drives around rest, weather, and traffic to reduce rushed or fatigued driving situations. National Passenger Safety Week reminds us that safety is a shared responsibility. By looking out for ourselves and others, taking simple safety actions, and speaking up with care and respect, we can help ensure that everyone gets home safely. Thank you for everything you do to make our roads safer! Savannah & the Target Zero Team |
