For The National Road Safety Foundation, we're working with MADD founder Candace Lightner on a new project that hopes to change the concept of the "back-seat driver" by empowering passengers to speak up when they're in a car being driven by someone who is driving dangerously.
Candace, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving more than 40 years ago when her daughter, then 13, was killed by a drunk driver. She helped change public attitudes, where now most of us would never think of getting behind the wheel if we've had some drinks and DUI is illegal everywhere, punished by stiff fines and often jail time.
Part of the effort is declaring next week as National Passenger Safety Week. We've reached out and have more than 50 other groups, including the National Safety Council, the Governors Highway Safety Association and many state groups like the New York Governors Traffic Safety Committee to join in. A couple of state legislatures, including California, are issuing official proclamations of support.
We're getting Candace on TV around the country, and she's also doing print interviews to help get the word out.
We're just getting started. There will be lots more in the coming week.