DEARBORN — As National Passenger Safety Week begins, AAA is issuing a reminder that road safety doesn’t start and end with the driver. Nationwide, passengers make up 24% of passenger�’vehicle fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“Passengers face the same deadly risks in a crash as the driver,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “That’s why Passenger Safety Week matters. Everyone in the vehicle plays a role in preventing tragedy, including the passenger. If you notice unsafe driving, speak up because it could save lives.”

Passenger Safety Tips:

– Speak up if the driver is speeding, distracted, or acting unsafely.

– Keep noise and distractions to a minimum.

– Wear your seat belt on every trip.

– Offer to handle navigation or messages.

– Never ride with an impaired or reckless driver.

Call to Action for Parents:

National Passenger Safety Week also highlights the added risk of riding with an inexperienced teen driver. AAA research shows that crash fatality rates rise 51% when a teen driver has only teen passengers in the vehicle. According to NHTSA, more than 600 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver. Nearly two-thirds (62%) were teenagers who were riding with a teenage driver.

“Letting an inexperienced teen drive a car full of other teens is dangerous,” said Woodland. “Peer passengers increase distractions and encourage risky behavior. A simple conversation can help teens recognize the risks and make safer choices for themselves and their friends.”

Advice for Parents of Teen Passengers:

– Set expectations early. Talk with your teen about how passengers can distract a young driver and what safe behavior in the car looks like.

– Limit the number of teen passengers in the vehicle. Fewer teens in the car means fewer distractions and less pressure on the driver.

– Model the behavior you want. Buckle up, avoid distractions, and speak up when you feel unsafe. Teens notice what adults do.

– Practice real scenarios. Roleplay how your teen can speak up if a friend is speeding, using their phone, or driving recklessly.

– Make safety non-negotiable. Set clear rules about seat belts, phone use, and choosing safe rides, and stick to them.

– Stay involved. Ask who’s driving, who else is in the car, and how the ride went. Consistent check-ins reinforce good habits.

– Give them an out. Let your teen know they can call you anytime for a ride if they feel unsafe, no questions asked.