On 19 November, we are reminded that road traffic crashes are not the problem of one person, one country, or one continent – it's a global issue that touches us all.

Every day, more victims are added to the current toll of over 50 million killed and hundreds of millions injured. Between January 2022 and June 2023, we lost 12 members of the United Nations family to road traffic crashes, 25 non-United Nations personnel died, and many more were injured because of road traffic crashes involving United Nations vehicles.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a stark reminder of how we are falling short of achieving the 50 per cent road casualty reduction target of the Decade of Action, and Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all by 2030.

Established in 2005 by the General Assembly, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an advocacy day for road traffic victims. We acknowledge recent victims of road traffic crashes and their families, and remember the many millions who have been killed, and seriously injured on the world’s roads.

The day recognizes the long-term consequences for affected victims, families, and communities.

The Department of Safety and Security (DSS) encourages everyone in our United Nations family to identify how they can lead by example when it comes to road safety, whether it's improving one's own behaviour as a road user or making the team accountable.

For example:

  • practice speed management

  • wear safety belts or personal protective equipment while riding motorcycles

  • do not text while driving

  • do not drive while distracted or under the influence

This week, from 13 to 19 November, stop by the South wall of the first floor of the Conference Building to see an exhibit organized by DSS. Pause to think about our families, friends, United Nations colleagues, and the people that we serve who were seriously injured as a result of road traffic crashes, and to mourn those who lost their lives.

At the end of the day, road safety is about people and saving lives. Remember! Support! Act!

Safer journeys begin with us!