Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) have introduced the bipartisan Drive Safer Sunday resolution, encouraging Americans nationwide to exercise greater caution in their holiday travels.
Nearly 82 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period, making it the single busiest holiday for travel in the U.S. This resolution primarily encourages all Americans to exercise greater caution during a period of increased traffic incidents and fatalities.
This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. The resolution introduced by the Senators also designates the Sunday after Thanksgiving as “Drive Safer Sunday.”
First introduced in 2005, this resolution has always been a bipartisan effort led by a Georgia Senator. The effort was started by Steve and Susan Owings, board members of the Institute for Safer Trucking from Atlanta, whose son Cullum was tragically killed in a truck crash after returning to college from their family Thanksgiving in 2002.
Since Cullum’s passing, Steve and Susan Owings have advocated for safer trucking and have worked with Georgia’s Congressional delegation to introduce this resolution.
Sen. Warnock commented on this resolution, emphasizing how everyone on the road needs to exercise caution, which is an easy and collaborative way to keep everyone safe.
“Driving with patience and focus is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and the people you care about,” Warnock stated. “We know safer streets require each of us to play our part, so I implore Georgians and all Americans to exercise caution amid the busy holiday season.”
Sen. Capito expressed pride in introducing this resolution and the effort to spread awareness around one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
“With so many Americans on the road to visit loved ones, the Sunday after Thanksgiving consistently ranks as one of the busiest travel days of the year,” Capito stated. “I’m proud to help reintroduce the Drive Safer Sunday resolution, which encourages everyone to exercise greater caution so they can return home safely.”
