Today, the global community observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR), an event dedicated to honoring the millions of lives lost and severely impacted by road traffic crashes. This day, marked annually on the third Sunday of November, is a solemn reminder of the devastating toll of road crashes and a call to action to improve road safety worldwide.

The theme, “Remember. Support. Act,” emphasizes three core objectives:

1. REMEMBER those killed and seriously injured on the roads and acknowledge the great work of the emergency services.
2. Advocate for better SUPPORT for road traffic victims and their families.
3. ACT to promote evidence-based actions to prevent further road traffic deaths and injuries.

In Nigeria, road traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death and injury. According to the recent Global Status Report on Road Safety, released in December 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 36,722 fatalities occur annually in Nigeria, with countless more suffering life-altering injuries. This day provides an opportunity to advocate for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road infrastructure, and enhanced emergency response systems.

The World Day of Remembrance is not only a platform to highlight the human impact of road crashes but also a chance to reflect on shared responsibility. Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to achieve the global goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030, as outlined in the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

On this day, GreenLight Initiative joins road safety advocates worldwide in calling for urgent action. Together, we can turn remembrance into resolve, ensuring safer roads for everyone.

Signed,
Patience Agabi
Communication Officer
GreenLight Initiative