Passengers
Be a safe passenger
As a passenger, you're also at risk of death or serious injury on the road. Your behaviour can positively or negatively influence road safety.
Don't distract the driver
Drivers need to concentrate and distractions within the car can make this difficult. Here are a few tips for being a good passenger:
- Wear your seatbelt at all times.
- Be a good co-pilot by performing tasks on behalf of the driver. You could navigate, read maps, receive phone calls and help ensure mobile phones don't distract the driver.
- Try to keep all interactions to a reasonable level. The more people in the car, the more distractions there may be from conversations, music and people using mobile phones.
- Pay attention to the road so you can see when your driver may need to concentrate more and help the driver’s focus.
- Let the driver know if you think there's an emerging danger, but don't shout or try to grab the steering wheel or hand brake.
- At night, don’t turn on interior lights while the car is moving as this can affect the driver's vision.
- Don’t be a ‘back-seat driver’. You can give the driver helpful information but try not to be negative or critical of they're driving.
If you're concerned about a driver’s behaviour
Sometimes you might be concerned about your driver’s behaviour but worried about their reaction if you say something. Your safety is the most important thing, as is that of other road users including the driver, so it's important you speak up if you feel unsafe.
Speeding
Driving too fast is the single biggest contributor to death and injury on our roads. If you feel the driver is going too fast, you should say so. It could safe your life and theirs.
Drink or drug driving
Never get into a car with a driver who has, or you suspect has been drinking over their legal limit or taking drugs. Do your best to persuade them not to drive.
Fatigue
If you notice the driver showing signs of fatigue ask them to pull over in a safe space for a rest and share the driving if you can
Feet on dash
Never place your feet on the dash of a vehicle as it can have a life-threatening impact on you if you're involved in a crash.
For more information
Speeding is the single biggest killer on NSW roads, contributing to about 40% of fatalities each year.
Alcohol badly affects your driving skills and concentration. Drivers detected with illegal levels of alcohol face serious consequences.
Illegal drugs cause changes in the brain that can impair your driving ability and increase your crash risk.
Fatigue-related crashes are almost three times as likely to be fatal than crashes not involving fatigue.