National Passenger Safety Week: Prioritizing Safety on Tampa’s Roads

At the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), our top priority is the safety of everyone traveling on our roads. As part of our commitment to public safety, we’re recognizing National Passenger Safety Week—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of ensuring everyone in your vehicle is safely secured, from the driver to every passenger.

This week is an opportunity to educate the public about the critical role proper seatbelt use, car seat installation, and overall vehicle safety play in preventing injuries and saving lives. 

The Importance of Buckling Up: It’s the Law

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself in the event of a crash. Yet, despite years of safety campaigns, millions of Americans still neglect to buckle up, especially in the back seat.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), unbuckled rear-seat passengers are 3.4 times more likely to die in a crash than those who are wearing their seatbelt. This statistic is alarming, but the good news is that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 45% in the front seat and by 60% in the back seat.

Proper Car Seat Installation: A Lifesaver for Children

For families traveling on the Selmon Expressway, making sure your child is safely secured in a properly installed car seat is critical. The correct use of a child safety seat can reduce the risk of injury or death by up to 71% in the event of a crash.

National Passenger Safety Week reminds parents and caregivers to check that their car seats are installed correctly. According to the NHTSA, nearly 59% of car seats are used incorrectly. THEA encourages families to take advantage of the resources available, such as car seat check-up stations, to ensure their children are riding safely.

Safety Starts with You

At THEA, we believe that safety on the road is a shared responsibility. While we work diligently to maintain and improve the infrastructure of our roadways and local expressways, drivers must take the necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and that of their passengers.

Here are a few important tips to remember during National Passenger Safety Week—and all year round:

1. Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time – No matter how short your trip, or how familiar the route, always make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up.
2. Check Car Seat Installation – Ensure that your child’s car seat is installed according to manufacturer instructions and that it’s appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
3. Stay Focused – Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. Avoid texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in any behavior that could take your attention away from the road.
4. Maintain Your Vehicle – Regularly inspect your car’s safety features, including seatbelts, airbags, and tires, to ensure they are in proper working order.
5. Follow the Rules of the Road – Speed limits, lane discipline, and other traffic laws are designed with safety in mind. Obeying these rules helps prevent accidents that could endanger yourself or others.

How THEA Supports Roadway Safety

While the responsibility for passenger safety ultimately lies with drivers and passengers, the THEA plays a vital role in supporting safe travel. We maintain and upgrade Tampa’s toll road system to ensure that the roads are well-maintained, well-lit, and equipped with the latest safety features, such as:

• High-tech traffic management systems that help reduce congestion and prevent accidents.
• Real-time traffic updates through our electronic message boards to inform drivers of road conditions.
• Regular road maintenance and upgrades to ensure that our expressways are as safe as possible for all users.