World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Basic Information

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed on third Sunday of November with an aim to show the importance of improving global road safety.


Observed on: Third Sunday of November (15 November 2020)

Organized By: UN, WHO, RoadPeace

Introduced in: 1993 (RoadPeace), UN Resolution in 2005

Observed: Internationally


About World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

United Nations General Assembly adopted third Sunday of November as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in 2005. The observance was started by RoadPeace in 1993. World Health Organization (WHO) play major role in promoting this day.

The resolution A/RES/60/5  passed by United Nations General Assembly on 25 October 2005 points out the importance of improving global road safety. The resolution invites member States to implement the recommendations of the World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention.

This day is much important as every year road crashes take lives of almost 1.24 million people and injure as many as 50 million more, leaving some with permanent disability. The number is such more when we consider the loved ones of these people who must cope with the consequences of their deaths or injuries.

Observation of this day becomes an important tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties. It also gives opportunities for understanding economic and emotional devastation caused by road crashes. It also gives opportunities to recognize suffering of road crash victims and the work of support and rescue services. Suffering of road crash victims includes  persons directly involved and the family and friends who affects indirectly


Activities and Programs on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Police department, traffic department, associations, government and non-government organizations, associations supporting families of road victims, families and friends of those who died in road crashes, celebrities observe this day in many countries. Many activities and programs are conducted on this day. Some includes moments of silence, seminars, workshops, video and photo displays, display of posters, etc. Now spreading the information through different media including social media by posting messages and videos are also common.

Social media campaigns are done with hashtag #WDoR or #WDR


Theme for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2019 Theme is “Life is not a Car Part

#WDoR 2018 Theme was “Roads have stories

2017 Theme: 2020 Target: reduce road fatalities AND serious injuries by 50%

2016 Theme: Vital post-crash actions: Medical Care, Investigation, Justice!

2015 Theme: It’s time to remember – say NO to road crime!

2014 Theme: Speed kills – design out speeding

2013 Theme: Let’s have roads that are safe for all

2012 Theme: Now is the time to learn from the past

2011 Theme: Let’s make 2011-2020 a Decade to remember!

2010 Theme: Remembering lives lost and broken; do not forget the injured!

2009 Theme: From global remembrance to global action

2007 Theme: Remember and Reflect; Remember and Respond

2006 Theme: A road death is not a normal death

2002 Theme: Roads of the future safer for our children than in the past


Click here for List of Important Days or UN Observations

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