NSC Honors World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Safety Council is joining forces with the Vision Zero Network, Families for Safe Streets and It Could Be Me to support communities across the country as they commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Observed globally on the third Sunday of November each year, this day is dedicated to honoring those affected by roadway incidents and urging the public and policymakers to take action on road safety reforms that save lives.

The U.S. faces an ongoing traffic safety crisis, with more than 40,000 Americans killed in roadway crashes each year and millions more injured. NSC estimates nearly 21,000 people died in traffic crashes in the first half of 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. also holds the highest rate of traffic fatalities among 29 high-income countries, underscoring the need for transformative safety measures.

"Every life lost to a roadway incident is preventable," said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. "On World Day of Remembrance, we honor those we’ve lost and renew our commitment to build a future where every journey ends in reaching your destination without harm. We can all contribute to safer roads by adopting strategies that prioritize the safety of all road users."

NSC advocates for a Safe System Approach to help move the U.S. closer to zero traffic fatalities by prioritizing safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people and better post-crash care. 

Research conducted by Texas A&M University, undertaken as part of the NSC Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, further demonstrates overwhelming public support for such reforms, with a majority favoring roadway redesigns and policies that emphasize safety for all. 

"The real tragedy is that these crashes are not accidents – they’re preventable,” said Leah Shahum, founder and executive director of the Vision Zero Network. “On World Day of Remembrance, we urge leaders to prioritize safety through changes that are proven to work: redesigning our streets, lowering speeds and implementing safety technologies. Together, we can create safer environments for everyone.”

"Every single day, nearly 115 people lose their lives on America’s roadways. As I know all too well, it’s a heartache that devastates families and communities,” said Amy Cohen, who founded Families for Safe Streets after her 12-year-old son was killed in a crash in 2013. “As communities across the country mark the World Day of Remembrance with families like mine, they are urging our local, state and federal leaders to put in place proven solutions to save lives.”

In observance of World Day of Remembrance, communities across the U.S. are organizing events to urge change at the local, state and federal levels. Events include rallies, bike rides and visual memorials for those who have lost a loved one in a traffic crash or suffered a serious injury. In Washington, D.C., Daniel Langenkamp will be hosting the third annual Ride for Your Life, ending with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in honor of his wife, Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, a U.S. diplomat who was hit and killed while riding her bike in Bethesda, Maryland, just weeks after she and her family were evacuated from Ukraine in 2022.

"We must address the dangers on our roads with the urgency they demand,” Langenkamp said. “Sarah’s passing was not just a personal loss but a tragedy that reflects a greater need for systematic change to protect everyone."

NSC invites the public to engage with stories of resilience and advocacy for safer roads by watching this video. To learn more about the World Day of Remembrance or get involved, visit wdor-usa.org.

About the National Safety Council 
The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for 110 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace and roadways. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.