Safe driving isn’t just about following the law – it’s also about ensuring everyone gets to their destination safely. Here are some ways that drivers and passengers can contribute to the safety of everyone in the vehicle.
For Drivers
Lead by example: Always buckle up in the driver’s seat. Your passengers are more likely to follow suit if they see you doing it.
Ensure children are properly restrained: Prioritize child safety by ensuring all children are correctly buckled in age-appropriate car seats or booster seats. You can learn more about child passenger safety from Zero Deaths Maryland here.
Drive Safely: Avoid distracted driving, speeding, impaired and aggressive driving, and other risky actions. Unsafe behaviors increase the likelihood of crashing and put everyone at risk.
Set Rules and Boundaries: Communicate to your passengers your expectations regarding acceptable behavior while the vehicle is in motion. let them know before you even turn on the engine that seatbelts must be worn, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If passengers do not follow your rules, you are well within your right to pull over or park your vehicle in a safe location until they agree to behave in a way that is acceptable to you, or…
It’s OK to say “No”: If a passenger causes danger for the other occupants in a car, it’s OK to tell them that you can no longer drive them.
For Passengers
Avoid distractions: Avoid loud conversations, sudden movements, or anything that can distract the driver from paying attention to the road.
Mind your manners: If drivers set rules for their vehicles, follow them. They establish boundaries to ensure the safety of everyone in the car.
Alert the driver to hazards: If you notice any dangers ahead, calmly advise the driver so they can act accordingly.
Speak up: If you feel that the driver is not operating the vehicle safely, say something. It may save the lives of everyone in the car. It’s also ok for passengers to say, “no” and refuse a ride from a reckless or unsafe driver.
Remember that passenger safety is a shared responsibility. The driver and passengers must work together to ensure the safety of everyone in a vehicle.
