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Vital Stories

World Day of Remembrance: A Call for Action to Prevent Traffic Fatalities

Nearly 1.19 million people lose their lives on the world’s roads each year. The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held on the third Sunday of November, is a moment for governments and road safety advocates to honor these victims, show support for their loved ones, and commit to a future where no one dies because of a road crash.

During the 2024 commemoration, Vital Strategies supported activities ranging from photo exhibitions of road crash survivors to road safety walks. Serving as a reminder of the devastating impact road crashes have on individuals and their families, this annual event is also an opportunity to reinforce the importance of recognizing these crashes as a public health crisis, and not random, unpreventable “accidents.”

Vital Strategies continues to urge governments and leaders to embrace and implement data-proven interventions that can save lives. Part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), Vital supports governments and partners to strengthen road crash data systems, create strategic communication and mass media campaigns to improve road user behavior, and liaise with the initiative’s global partners, governments and city agencies to align efforts to implement policy, infrastructure, enforcement, communication and surveillance programs.

Vital supported over 17 governments globally as they honored victims and their families, while promoting evidence-based actions to save lives in 2024. Here are the highlights:

Argentina (Buenos Aires and Córdoba)

In Buenos Aires, the Department of Road Safety Education and Coexistence and the Corps of Traffic Agents held the “Sprouts of a New Consciousness” activity for families of crash victims. Red roses, symbolizing lives lost in traffic crashes, were distributed, and photos of the victims were displayed to bring attention to the consequences of crashes. Antonio Cortes, the Undersecretary for Mobility Planning, and Leandro Ricciardi, the Director General of the Traffic Agents Corps, attended, along with representatives from the Buenos Aires Ministry of Justice and the National Road Safety Agency.

The Urban Mobility Secretariat of the Municipality of Córdoba illuminated historic buildings as part of its commemoration. Testimonials from a grieving mother, a road crash survivor and a doctor from Córdoba Emergency Hospital were shared across social media. A driver-education class for high school students conducted by MINU, a civil society organization and BIGRS grantee, aimed to inform young drivers on safe driving practices.

Historic buildings in Córdoba illuminated in honor of road traffic victims.

Bangladesh (Chattogram and Dhaka North)

The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) held a policy dialogue with the media focused on implementing speed management guidelines to reduce road crashes. The dialogue included the launch of the Chattogram Road Safety Report 2021-23, jointly prepared by CCC, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, and Vital Strategies, with support from BIGRS.

Key attendees included Mayor Dr. Sahadat Hossain, Additional Police Commissioner Ashfiquzzaman Aktar, and Ilias Kanchan, a road safety advocate. The dialogue resulted in media coverage across English and Bangla outlets.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Dhaka North City Corporation Mir Khairul Alam listened to the stories of three road crash victims who shared their life-altering experiences. Key stakeholders, including the superintendent engineer of the Traffic Engineering Circle, and attendees observed a heartfelt moment of silence to honor those affected by traffic crashes. The media covered the event, interviewing victims and road safety advocates to emphasize the urgent need for enhanced road safety.

Participants honor road traffic victims by standing silently for one minute at the roundtable meeting at the Dhaka North City Corporation conference room in Dhaka. 

Brazil (Campinas, Recife, Salvador, São Paulo State)

The Municipality of Campinas and Municipal Development Company of Campinas (Emdec) launched the 2023 Campinas Annual Crash Report to spotlight road safety issues and call on drivers to protect one another. Emdec President Vinicius Riverete attended the launch, which gained attention from the media. Videos and visual materials featuring testimonies from road crash victims were shared across media platforms. The testimonials aimed to highlight the deadly consequences of risky driving behaviors.

Vinicius Riverete, President of Emdec, speaking to the press about commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The city of Recife and the Urban Traffic and Transport Authority released a preliminary road safety data report, which showed that motorcyclists were the main traffic crash victims in Recife in 2023. This data is being used to shape actions to prevent crashes, such as redesigning roads to adjust drivers’ speeds.

Enforcement teams distributing the road safety data at checkpoints in Recife. 

The city of Salvador’s Traffic Superintendency, known as Transalvador, and community-based organizations organized a blood donation drive as part of their World Day of Remembrance activities to represent a commitment to preserving life and the need to reduce crashes to ease the burden on the public health system. The city also launched the Salvador 2023 Annual Road Safety Report, and stories from victims’ families were shared with the media to increase visibility and spark conversations about the consequences of speeding.

The São Paulo State Transit Department launched its first BIGRS-supported media campaign, “Do what you have to do without speeding,” aimed at encouraging motorcyclists to respect speed limits. The campaign was paired with enforcement and served to remind viewers of the human toll behind speeding-related statistics.

Colombia (Bogotá and Cali)

Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán and Secretary of Mobility Claudia Díaz announced the “We are not a number, respect the limit,” mass media campaign on Nov. 14. This is the first speeding enforcement PSA in the region produced with the support of BIGRS and Vital Strategies. The campaign aimed to emphasize the importance of enforcement in protecting the public from speeding drivers.

The city of Cali and the Secretariat of Mobility emphasized the urgent need for sustainable mobility solutions at the International Forum on Sustainable, Safe, and Accessible Mobility by showcasing how key crash statistics support the development of mobility systems that protect lives and the environment. Forum participants were invited to write notes expressing their commitment to saving lives and to place white flowers on a mural in memory of victims. Efforts included issuing a press release and social media posts.

Ecuador (Guayaquil and Quito)

The Guayaquil Transit and Mobility Agency (ATM) brought together the families of victims, members of the academic community and key authorities, including ATM General Manager Manuel Salvatierra, at a local park. Attendees planted trees and assembled a floral tribute as a symbolic gesture of the city’s commitment to advancing road safety.

Families of road traffic victims planted trees to symbolize the city of Guayaquil’s commitment to road safety. 

At Quito’s Bicentenario Park, road traffic victims’ families shared their stories to highlight road safety issues and prevent further tragedies. Citizens and advocates painted the number “250” on the street and formed the same number with their hands, representing the number of lives lost in road crashes in Quito in 2023. City authorities emphasized the importance of institutionalizing this day and strengthening lifesaving initiatives such as speed enforcement, which was implemented in the city in December 2024. The activities were organized in collaboration with the Safe Mobility Coalition, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, national and local government officials, international organizations, and civil society advocates.

Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

The Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority, in collaboration with local partners, visited one of the city’s high-crash locations to mark World Day of Remembrance.

More than 250 people, including dignitaries such as Ahmed Abdurahaman from the Mayor’s Office, TMA’s Director General, police representatives, Abet Hospital officials, journalists, celebrities, and representatives from various institutions, attended. Crash survivors and victims’ families shared their stories, emphasizing the human cost of road crashes. Artistic performances, including poems and soliloquies, conveying the devastating impact of road crashes. A panel discussion with religious leaders was also held to inspire a shared moral responsibility for safer roads.

Ghana (Accra and Kumasi)

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ministry of Transport and Ghana Road Safety Commission organized a “Wall of Remembrance” at NRSA headquarters to honor lives lost to road crashes in Accra. David Adonteng, NRSA’s Acting Director, joined a panel discussion with road crash victims and stakeholders to bring attention to the dangers of road traffic crashes.

David Adonteng, Acting Director of NRSA, in a road safety panel discussion with key stakeholders.

To commemorate the day, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the NRSA released the Kumasi Road Safety Report, 2023 with key institutions, such as the Ambulance Service, and the Ghana Police Service, in attendance. The mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Samuel Pyne, led the event and emphasized the need for all stakeholders to play their part to make the roads safe. The team also visited road crash victims at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

India (Karnataka)

The secretary of the Transport Department in Karnataka launched the Karnataka State Road Safety Authority’s speeding campaign, “Motorcycle Reconstruction,” on Nov. 19. Director and Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences emphasizes how slight differences in speed can affect the chance of a crash, its severity, and a person’s chance of survival. The campaign was coordinated with enforcement by the Karnataka State Police, Bangalore Traffic Police and the Transport Department in a multi-agency effort to change behaviors and save lives.

Kenya (Mombasa)

In Mombasa County, the National Transport and Safety Authority and local authorities led a pedestrian crossing paint project, followed by a road safety walk to Nyali Primary School. Interviews with crash survivors and road safety experts highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable road users.

Mombasa’s 2024 World Day of Remembrance road safety walk.

Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

The Road Transport Department and Pos Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur shared a testimonial video on social media platforms featuring the story of Mohd Syafique, a motorcycle courier who lost his leg in a crash. This narrative was created to bring attention to speeding and the profound impact crashes have on individuals and their families. The testimonial aimed to inspire adherence to traffic rules, seeking to ensure the safety of all road users.

Mexico (Guadalajara)

The Mobility and Transportation Department in Guadalajara, in partnership with civil society, victims’ families and BIGRS, organized a photo exhibition addressing the dangers of speeding. During a press conference, Saúl González, the city’s Director of Mobility and Transportation, and Mario Silva, Chief of Staff for the government of Guadalajara, honored the memory of those who lost their lives in traffic crashes and referred to this public health issue as a “silent pandemic.”

Mobility Director Saúl González delivers a speech, joined by the Chief of Staff of the government of Guadalajara, Mario Silva (second from left), family members of victims, and civil society representatives. 

Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City)

Vietnam’s National Traffic Safety Committee announced the “Slow down for children’s futures,” media campaign encouraging drivers to follow 30 km/h speed limits in school zones across the country. Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City each coordinated with enforcement efforts and held local campaign launches.

In addition to the launch event, attended by traffic officials from the cities attended, outreach efforts included social media posts to emphasize the importance of protecting children across the country.

About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies believes every person should be protected by an equitable and effective public health system. We partner with governments, communities and organizations around the world to reimagine public health so that health is supported in all the places we live, work and play. The result is millions of people living longer, healthier lives.

To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org or follow Vital Strategies on LinkedIn.

About the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) works with the world’s leading road safety organizations to implement road safety activities and coordinate with in-country governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. BIGRS places an emphasis on achieving outcomes, and on using high-quality monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to continually assess progress.