Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is joining more than 70 traffic safety and advocacy groups nationwide in observing National Passenger Safety Week, January 19–26, 2026. The initiative is led by We Save Lives and the National Road Safety Foundation, and focuses on empowering passengers to take an active role in preventing crashes by addressing unsafe driving behaviors.
“Passengers are often the first to recognize dangerous behaviors inside a vehicle,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “We want citizens to understand that speaking up is not about confrontation, it’s about protection. A simple intervention can prevent a tragedy and help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.”
According to national data, 40,901 people were killed in crashes on American roads and highways last year. An estimated 3,308 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers, while 289,310 were injured. Additionally, 11,302 unbuckled passengers were killed, and 13,524 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving crashes nationwide.
In Alabama, 967 lives were lost on roadways in 2024. Data from Drive Safe Alabama show that speeding was a primary contributing factor in 142 fatal crashes, while 89 fatal crashes involved driving under the influence as a primary contributing factor. Seat belts were not used in 354 of the 967 fatalities, involving both drivers and passengers.
“Every person in a vehicle has a role to play in safety,” said Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety. “Speaking up can feel uncomfortable, but it can also be lifesaving. We encourage passengers to have the courage to intervene, whether that means asking a driver to buckle up, put the phone away, slow down and to not drive if impaired. One voice can make all the difference.”
National Passenger Safety Week emphasizes the role passengers can play by challenging unsafe driving behaviors. Central to the campaign is the Courage to Intervene Promise, which encourages passengers to:
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Stop drivers from driving impaired
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Refuse to ride with impaired drivers
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Discourage drivers from using cell phones or other distractions while driving
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Intervene to prevent unsafe driving, prioritizing safety for everyone on the road
Additional information and resources, including tips on how to speak up and a downloadable Courage to Intervene Promise, are available at nationalpassengersafety.org.
Founded in 2014 by Candace Lightner, founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), We Save Lives is a coalition of highway safety advocates, law enforcement agencies, companies, and victim and survivor groups dedicated to reducing roadway fatalities. The National Road Safety Foundation, established in 1962, produces free educational materials addressing distracted, impaired, and aggressive driving, pedestrian safety, and other roadway safety issues, with a focus on youth engagement and prevention.
