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World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – 20
November 2011
Message from Dr
Samlee Plianbangchang Regional Director, WHO South-East
Asia Region
 Every year,
on the third Sunday of November, all governments and NGOs around the world
are encouraged to commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic
Victims.
Each year nearly 1.3 million people are killed in road
traffic crashes globally, leaving behind shattered families and communities.
Most of those killed are young, and their contributions are greatly needed by
their families and societies. The impact is the suffering, truly unimaginable
since each year more millions are added to those who are already affected and
whose suffering is aggravated by inadequate response to their loss. Losing a
family member can inflict significant emotional and psychological pain and
financial strain on the family. Many families are driven into poverty by the
cost of prolonged medical care and the extra funds needed to care for people
with the disabilities that may result from accidents.
Read full
message
Saving millions of lives: Decade of Action for Road Safety
Road traffic crashes take the lives of nearly 1.3 million
people every year, and injure 20–50 million more. This makes road traffic
injuries the leading cause of death for people aged 15–29 years. Over 90% of
road traffic deaths and injuries occur in low-income and middle-income
countries, which have only 48% of the world’s registered vehicles.
Significantly, nearly half (46%) of those dying on the world’s roads are
“vulnerable road users”: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
In addition to the grief and suffering they cause, road
traffic crashes result in considerable economic losses to victims, their
families, and nations as a whole, costing most countries 1–3% of their gross
national product. Without action, road traffic crashes are predicted to
result in the deaths of around 1.9 million people annually by 2020. Only 15%
of countries have comprehensive laws relating to five key risks: speeding,
drinking and driving, and the non-use of helmets, seat-belts and child
restraints.
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