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Every year, on the third Sunday of November, the world observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR), a day dedicated to honouring those who have lost their lives or suffered injuries in road crashes.
This day, first initiated by RoadPeace (UK) in 1993 and formally adopted by the United Nations in 2005, highlights not only the grief of affected families but also the urgent need for road safety awareness and stronger road traffic accident prevention strategies.
World Day of Remembrance 2025 Theme: Remember. Support. Act.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025, on Sunday, 16 November, encourages every citizen to:
- Remember the victims of road crashes and support their families.
- Support survivors and advocates working for safer mobility.
- Act by adopting and promoting safer road behaviours.
As the UNRSC highlights, remembrance is not only a tribute but a call to collective action toward a world where no one dies or is seriously injured on the road.
How to Participate in World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025?
Join the movement to honour lives lost and advocate for safer roads. Here’s how you can make a difference this World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims 2025:
- Join local or online remembrance events.
- Light a candle or observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims.
- Share tributes or awareness posts on social media using #WDoR2025.
- Support victims’ families and survivors through donations or volunteering.
- Advocate for better road safety laws, pedestrian zones, and post-crash care.
- Take a personal road safety pledge: drive sober, avoid distractions, and follow speed limits.
- Organise or attend road safety awareness sessions in schools or workplaces.
- Share educational content about road safety awareness and accident prevention.
- Stay prepared while travelling, and carry travel insurance to ensure protection in case of emergencies.
Why Road Safety Awareness Matters?
Road traffic crashes continue to be a global health crisis. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic collisions, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially among young people aged 5–29 years.
Road safety awareness is not just about following rules; it’s about fostering responsibility, respect, and readiness among road users. Each small action, such as wearing a seat belt, slowing down, and using pedestrian crossings, saves lives.
Understanding the Causes of Road Accidents
To improve road traffic accident prevention, it’s essential to identify common causes of road accidents. Research by the World Bank and WHO points to the following key contributors:
- Speeding reduces driver reaction time and increases the severity of injuries.
- Distracted driving: mobile phones and infotainment systems divert attention.
- Driving under the influence: alcohol and drugs impair judgment and coordination.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: faulty brakes or worn tyres lead to mechanical failure.
- Unsafe infrastructure: missing signage, poor lighting, and unclear lane markings.
- Neglect of pedestrian zones: lack of sidewalks and safe crossings.
Addressing these causes of road accidents through education, enforcement, and engineering is crucial to preventing future tragedies.
Pedestrian Safety: Protecting the Most Vulnerable
In 2023, 7,314 pedestrians were killed, and more than 68,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists account for the majority of road traffic deaths globally. Ensuring pedestrian safety must therefore be a top priority in road safety planning.
Practical steps include:
- Follow traffic rules: Always obey road signs, signals, and pedestrian crossings.
- Use sidewalks: Walk on sidewalks whenever available. If not, walk facing traffic and stay as far away from vehicles as possible.
- Cross safely: Always cross at marked crosswalks or intersections, never in the middle of the block.
- Be visible and cautious: If no crosswalk is nearby, choose a well-lit area with a clear view of traffic, and wait for a safe gap before crossing.
- Stay alert: Watch for vehicles turning, backing up, or entering and exiting driveways or parking lots.
- Make eye contact with drivers: Don’t assume they see you. Ensure vehicles come to a complete stop before stepping onto the road.
- Look left-right-left: Always double-check for moving cars, even when the signal says “Walk.”
- Walk, don’t run: Cross steadily and stay alert to traffic movement around you.
- Teach children safety: Children under 10 should only cross streets with an adult or an older sibling. Encourage finding a “walking buddy.”
- Be cautious around school buses: Look both ways before crossing to board or alight, and never assume drivers will stop automatically.
How to Prevent Road Accidents with Road Safety Measures?
To prevent road traffic accidents, comprehensive road safety measures require collaboration among individuals, communities, and authorities. Here’s how:
Essential Road Safety Measures:
- Slow down: Speeding endangers not just you, but everyone around you, including pedestrians.
- Stay alert for pedestrians: Continuously scan your surroundings and minimise blind spots.
- Improve visibility: Adjust mirrors properly to enhance your field of vision.
- Use extra caution at night or in adverse weather conditions, as pedestrians can be more challenging to see and may appear suddenly.
- Yield at crosswalks: Always give pedestrians the right of way and stop well behind the line to let others see them too.
- Be alert when turning or entering a crosswalk: Reduce speed and prepare to stop.
- Never overtake vehicles stopped at a crosswalk: Hidden pedestrians may be crossing where you can’t see.
- Follow posted speed limits, especially in school zones, residential areas, and areas with heavy foot traffic.
- Stay cautious when reversing: Check all directions for pedestrians before backing up.
The Role of Travel Insurance
While awareness and prevention are vital, preparedness completes the purpose. Whether you commute daily or embark on a road trip, travel insurance serves as a practical safety net.
A good travel insurance plan can:
- Cover medical expenses in case of a road traffic injury during travel.
- Provide emergency evacuation or hospitalisation benefits.
- Offer vehicle assistance and liability coverage in case of an accident abroad.
- Reduce financial and emotional stress during emergencies.
In essence, travel insurance embodies the “Support” aspect of the 2025 theme, helping individuals and families recover faster after road-related incidents.
If you travel frequently, check if your policy includes road accident coverage and overseas medical evacuation, as these can make a significant difference when seconds count.
From Grief to Action
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is not merely a memorial; it’s a movement. Each year’s theme, especially 2025’s “Remember. Support. Act.”, reminds us to look beyond loss and take responsibility for prevention.
By embracing road safety awareness, enforcing road safety measures, focusing on pedestrian safety, and practising road traffic accident prevention, we turn remembrance into resilience.
As we travel, let’s commit to preparedness because safeguarding life doesn’t end with driving carefully; it extends to protecting ourselves and our loved ones through travel insurance and responsible actions.
Let remembrance guide our steps, and let every safe journey honour the memory of those who never made it home.
Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
