World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an international holiday that’s observed on the third Sunday in November every year. The purpose of this holiday is not only to remember the millions of people who have lost their lives around the world to vehicular accidents but to also take steps to reduce vehicle fatalities into the future. Around the world, approximately 1.4 million people are killed on roadways. That’s over 3,800 people every single day. That’s a number that we all can work towards reducing, and observing this holiday is a great place to start that process.

The History Of World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims

The first day of remembrance was organized by the founder of RoadPeace, Brigitte Chaudhry in 1993. Two years later, the General Assembly of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims added its support to the initiative. By 1998, there were events held all over the world including not only Australia and Argentina, but Israel, Great Britain, and South Africa as well. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) added its support to the initiative, and two years later, the UN General Assembly invited all nations to observe the holiday as they deem appropriate.

Observing World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims

All around the world, people attend candlelight vigils and special prayer services for people who have died in automobile accidents. However, those aren’t the only ways the dead are remembered on this day. Some people plant trees or lay wreaths on graves. People also observe this day by attending seminars and conferences on the problem of automobile accidents throughout the world, and by attending exhibitions or concerts. People can also spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #WDR on their social media accounts.