What is the World Day of Remembrance and Why You Should Care About It

By Adia Tay

Image credit: BRZE

 

Every third Sunday of November, people across the world come together in a moment of silence to commemorate road traffic victims and their loved ones. This day is known as the World Day of Remembrance (WDR).

World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in 2020 that approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes every year– That’s nearly the population of Hawaii. The number of people who are left injured or disabled due to such crashes is unimaginably higher– between 20 to 50 million each year.

A Brief History of WDR

Image credit: BRZE

 

WDR is not only a day to remember road traffic victims and their families and friends- It is a day dedicated to:

  • Advocating for a safer road and transport system and a better road trauma support
  • Shining a spotlight on the severity of road traffic deaths and injuries and the trivial legal response to such accidents
  • Paying gratitude to emergency workers whose expertise is crucial
  • Promoting evidence-based actions to prevent and stop road traffic deaths and injuries

Read more about the World Day of Remembrance here.

Why You Should Care About WDR

Image credit: BRZE

 

No one gets on the road anticipating an accident. But at the same time, we can’t help but entertain the 1,001 thoughts that come to our heads: Did I turn the lights off? Shucks, it’s going to rain. Oh my God, why are my children demons? There are parents dealing with their cranky kids in the back seat, stressed-out business owners on unavoidable work calls on the road and the everyday man who’s struggling to make ends meet.

Amid the hustles of life, how many of us really think about how safe we are and if we are driving in the safest way possible? We aren’t machines, and that is why mistakes happen on the road all the time.


So, let’s take some time every year on the World Day of Remembrance to evaluate our behaviors on the road and to recall those who have been victims of road accidents. Never take road safety for granted. Road safety is key, and it is our responsibility.