World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Encyclopedia
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims takes place on the third Sunday in November every year as the appropriate acknowledgment of victims of road traffic crashes and their families. It was started by RoadPeace
in 1993 and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
in 2005.
. In 1995 the General Assembly of European Federation of Road Traffic Victims
added its support and by 1998 the event was being held in a number of countries including Argentina, Australia, Israel, South Africa, and Trinidad in addition to the United Kingdom. The World Health Organisation added its support in 2003 and in 2005 the United Nations General Assembly
invited all nations to observe the day 'as the appropriate acknowledgment of victims of road traffic crashes and their families'.
In 2007 events were held in 18 countries; it was marked by candlelight parades in Israel, a multi-faith gathering in Australia, theatre performances in Mexico, and a seminar in Japan.
In 2008 events were held 28 countries including Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, UK and USA.
In 2009 events were held in 30 countries. Canada's Transport Minister John Baird
offered condolences to those affected by the estimated 3,000 fatalities and 200,000 injuries from road crashes that occur every year in Canada. In England a service was held in Canterbury Cathedral
and in Ripon Cathedral
Some 1,000 people attended a service in Knock Shrine
in Ireland Pope Benedict XVI
prayed for "all who have been killed or injured in road accidents". Services were also held in Barbados
India
, Namibia
and many other places.
RoadPeace
RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims in the UK. It supports the people affected by road crashes with emotional and practical support and advocacy. It operates a help line and provides practical support to people affected...
in 1993 and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
in 2005.
History
In 1993, the first day of remembrance which was organised by RoadPeaceRoadPeace
RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims in the UK. It supports the people affected by road crashes with emotional and practical support and advocacy. It operates a help line and provides practical support to people affected...
. In 1995 the General Assembly of European Federation of Road Traffic Victims
European Federation of Road Traffic Victims
The European Federation of Road Traffic Victims is an Non-Governmental Organisation that provides emotional, social and juridical assistance to road traffic victims or/and their relatives and supports organisations in many countries to achieve this aim...
added its support and by 1998 the event was being held in a number of countries including Argentina, Australia, Israel, South Africa, and Trinidad in addition to the United Kingdom. The World Health Organisation added its support in 2003 and in 2005 the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
invited all nations to observe the day 'as the appropriate acknowledgment of victims of road traffic crashes and their families'.
In 2007 events were held in 18 countries; it was marked by candlelight parades in Israel, a multi-faith gathering in Australia, theatre performances in Mexico, and a seminar in Japan.
In 2008 events were held 28 countries including Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, UK and USA.
In 2009 events were held in 30 countries. Canada's Transport Minister John Baird
John Baird (Canadian politician)
John Russell Baird, PC, MP is a Canadian politician currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper....
offered condolences to those affected by the estimated 3,000 fatalities and 200,000 injuries from road crashes that occur every year in Canada. In England a service was held in Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
and in Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds and the mother church of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, situated in the small North Yorkshire city of Ripon, England.-Background:...
Some 1,000 people attended a service in Knock Shrine
Knock Shrine
Knock Shrine is a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and National Shrine in the village of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, where it is claimed there was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist and Jesus Christ in 1879.-Details of the apparition:On the...
in Ireland Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
prayed for "all who have been killed or injured in road accidents". Services were also held in Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
and many other places.