In 2005, the United Nations joined the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims in recognizing the third Sunday of November as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This year, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims falls on Sunday, November 19, 2017.
How Should You Mark the Day?
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims serves several different purposes. On this day, the United Nations and other organizations around the world encourage us to:
- Remember those who have been killed or hurt in car accidents.
- Think about the families and friends of the people who have been killed in accidents.
- Thank first responders who work to help those involved in accidents.
- Think about ways to prevent future accidents.
In previous years, communities across the United States participated in observing The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims by organizing and attending:
- Vigils.
- Walks.
- Bike rides.
- Exhibitions.
This year, you can plan any of these events—or any other that you can think of that would honor traffic victims, their loved ones, or emergency first responders. You can submit your event directly on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims website so that other people know about them and can attend. Your events may also be shared on social media with the hashtag #WDR2017.
2017 Wisconsin Fatal Accidents
As of October 1, 2017, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported 441 motor vehicle related fatalities in our state so far this year. This is similar to the year-to-date fatalities reported in 2016 and significantly higher than the corresponding numbers reported in 2014 and 2015. The 2017 Wisconsin traffic fatalities reported through October 1, 2017 included:
- 249 drivers.
- 77 passengers.
- 60 motorcycle drivers.
- 44 pedestrians.
- 6 motorcycle passengers.
- 3 bicyclists.
- 2 unknown.
On November 19—and every day—we remember the victims, their loved ones, and the first responders who came to the scene of these tragic fatal accidents, and we hope for a safe end to 2017 on our roads.