Each November, advocates around the world commemorate lives lost and drastically changed by road crashes on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on November 21.
Road crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 5 – 29 worldwide. They have been alluded to as a silent pandemic of our time. Many of the 1.3 million annual deaths could be prevented by strong road safety policies, including laws related to speeding, seatbelt wearing, child restraints, helmet use and drink driving. Regulations that require car manufacturers to include specific safety features like airbags and sound braking systems in their vehicles protect not only drivers, but passengers, cyclists and pedestrians as well.
This World Day of Remembrance, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) is honoring people impacted by crashes and their families by hosting several events and providing resources to individuals and organizations advocating for stronger road safety policies. We are doing this alongside myriad activities hosted by civil society organizations across the world.
Here are a few things to look out for this #WDoR2021:
1. Join #AdvocatesRemember2021 — a digital conversation live on Twitter
On November 18, a one-hour tweet chat will culminate in a live Twitter Spaces conversation exploring how the voices of victims’ advocates and survivors contribute to lifesaving policy change. Join the conversation on Twitter using #advocatesremember2021 — and get the questions here so you can prepare your answers in advance. RSVP here to tune in to the live Twitter Spaces conversation November 18.
2. Get the word out about policies that save lives with our World Day of Remembrance toolkit
Advocates — check out this comprehensive World Day of Remembrance-themed toolkit for graphics, key messages, press release templates and more. (Let us know about your events, too, so we can highlight them on social media!)
3. Follow World Day of Remembrance movements across the globe
Advocates worldwide are hosting events related to World Day of Remembrance. In Colombia, road safety advocacy organization La Liga Contra la Violencia Vial recently launched the Carros Más Seguros campaign, bringing awareness to the perils of low-safety vehicles on Colombian roads (check out the campaign by following #ExigeCarrosMasSeguros on social media). Across Latin America, advocates in Mexico, Ecuador and elsewhere are commemorating the day under the hashtag #seguridadvial. In India, advocates will release videos of survivors sharing their stories — and the importance of adopting national road safety legislation in the states.
You can tune into World Day of Remembrance festivities by following #WDoR2021 on Twitter.
