‘World Day of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims’ to be marked globally

This Sunday, November 15 marks ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’, a day when commemorations take place globally to remember the victims of road traffic crashes and their families.

This year marks 25 years since the first Day of Remembrance was observed in 1995. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will mark the day by hosting a special ceremony to be broadcast on its Facebook page at 14:00 this Sunday.

Since the recording of fatalities began in 1959, 24,526 people have died in fatal crashes in Ireland. This is equivalent to losing the population of the town of Carlow. Over 80,000 people have been seriously injured on Irish roads since the recording of serious injuries began in 1977.

To date in 2020 a total of 127 families, friends and communities have lost a loved one on Irish roads. This is an increase of 11 deaths compared to the same date last year.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Hildegarde Naughton said: “World day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an opportunity for us all to not only remember those who have been killed or injured on our roads but to also remember their families.

“We should remember too the health care workers who tend to victims and the members of the Emergency Services who are at the front line of road safety, often the first on the scene of a road traffic incident. I would like to pay tribute to all their hard work, constant professionalism and the care and support they offer to both victims and families.”

The United Nations designated the third Sunday in November as World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims. It is now recognised across the world and this year marks the 14th year it has been held in Ireland.

The RSA is also promoting ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ with a radio advertising and social media campaign.

An initiative by Local Authorities will see Council buildings across Ireland ‘light up for road safety’ this Sunday, as part of this year’s ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’.

A list of other activities including those organised by Local Authorities and Victim Support Groups can be found on the RSA website.