World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims 2023

World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims 2023

World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims 2023

Observed on the third Sunday of every November, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) holds profound significance. This global event stands as a poignant tribute, honoring the millions who have tragically lost their lives or faced severe injuries on roads worldwide. It is a solemn occasion to recognize the enduring pain endured by victims, their families, and communities—a suffering that accumulates each year, compounding an already staggering toll.

India, grappling with the immense challenge of road safety, recently unveiled its annual road crash report, ‘Road Accidents in India 2022,’ on October 31, 2023. The statistics are sobering, revealing 461,312 recorded road crash incidents across the nation’s 28 states and 8 union territories in the calendar year 2022. These incidents resulted in the tragic loss of 168,491 lives (severity of 36%) and left 443,366 individuals injured.

Breaking down these alarming figures, it translates to an average of 462 deaths and 1,214 injuries every day, or a staggering 19 deaths and 50 injuries occurring every hour in the country. These statistics underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness, comprehensive road safety measures, and collective efforts to curb the devastating impact of road accidents.

On this solemn occasion of the World Day of Remembrance, let us reflect on these realities and renew our commitment to fostering safer roads for all.

World Day of Remembrance – Madhya Pradesh

World Day of Remembrance – Madhya Pradesh

World Day of Remembrance – Madhya Pradesh

National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE), Bhopal, a non-government organization, in partnership with New Delhi based Consumer Voice and Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism (MCU), Bhopal organized a workshop on Reducing Traffic Accidents vis a vis Injury and Fatalities through Reducing Traffic Speed” at MCU, Bhopal on 24th November, 2021 to mark “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims”.

Prof K G Suresh, Vice Chancellor, MCU, Chief Guests of the event called upon the youth to understand their responsibility regarding road safety. He asserted that one should wear helmet and seat belts and follow other road safety standards. Students of Jounalism and Communication can play an important role in creating awareness about road safety. Media should make efforts to change the mindset and behavior of the society regarding road safety. He further stated that road accidents rather than crash usually occur due to our fault. Road accidents can be reduced if we follow the rules. He further stated that one should not be careless and overconfident about driving a vehicle. Seat belts and helmets protect you from serious injuries. If we care about ourselves and our family members, then we should not be so careless. He emphasized that most of the victims of road accidents are youth.

Dr Pradip Nandi, Director General, NCHSE said that World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is dedicated to remembering the many millions of road traffic victims throughout the world. This year the day has a special significance as it marks the start of the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. He also presented the Road Safety scenario worldwide as well as in India and the provisions of Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019 to prevent traffic accidents. He pointed out that as per the Road Accident Report for 2019, published by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in 2020, road accidents continue as a leading cause of death and disabilities in the country despite commitment and efforts by the GOI and the states. Referring to the report he said that in 2019, 449,002 road accidents caused 151,113 death and injuries to 451,361 persons in the country. This includes 11,249 deaths in 50,669 road accidents in Madhya Pradesh.  He said that maximum fatalities or grievous injuries are suffered by the working age group, which not only affect the person suffered the injury but affects the entire family financially. He further added that it is alarming and there is need for create awareness among youth and working group of people to abide by the safety measures including reducing speed/ provisions of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019.

Shri Manoj Khatri, DSP, Traffic, Bhopal spoke about the action being taken by the state government especially in Bhopal with emphasis on identification of black spots to prevent road accidents to save lives. He discussed the significance of traffic signs in details and stressed upon to consider 4Es – Education, Engineering (Road Construction), Enforcement & Emergency care.  

Dr. S.K.Saxena, Senior Surgical Specialist & Civil Surgeon and Former  Medical Adviser to Human Rights Commission said that the role of a good Samaritan, especially his/her promptness is very crucial to save lives and thus to reduce fatalities among road accident victims. He highlighted the importance of generation of data and their analysis to develop strategy to save lives of critically injured road accident victims. 

Dr. Rahul Tiwari, Assistant Professor of MANIT called upon the participants to make use of technical expertise on mass communication available with them and suggested documentation of field works, writing papers and publishing them to create awareness to prevent traffic accidents and save lives of traffic accident victims.

Ms Deepika Rao and Mr. Suresh Nair, both relatives of Road Traffic Victims, expressed their feeling and traumatic experience when their dear ones suffered injuries due to road accidents and how they had to overcome stress and anxiety. 

More than 100 persons, comprising of students of 18-20 age group, faculties, police personnel and few road accident victims and senior citizens participated the workshop. The guests were presented with mementos. 

Shri Avinash Shrivastava, Dy Director, NCHSE conducted the programme and Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, Professor of Communication, MCU gave vote of Thanks.

Oath Taking:

Shri Manoj Khari, DSP Traffic, Bhopal administered the oath to the participants to obey traffic rules and act as a Good Samaritan and help road accident victims.

Forming a Chain to advocate Traffic Safety: 

Besides the participants of the workshop, university staff participated in forming a chain holding play card having messages of traffic safety within the University Campus to create awareness on traffic safety.

Media Coverage’s

World Day of Remembrance – West Bengal

World Day of Remembrance – West Bengal

World Day of Remembrance – West Bengal

To mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Honcho Tech For Good Foundation with support from Consumer VOICE organized various public events in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas, West Bengal on 23rd November. It received a huge amount of support from Kolkata Traffic police officials, doctors, representative from Transport department, college students who actively participated and supported the road safety initiative. More than 50 students supported the cause along with Kolkata police officials and reached out to more than 1000 commuters and drivers.

Various sensitization related activities were organized such as session on golden hour action, importance on wearing helmets and so on. Sticker and pamphlets were also distributed for the same. 45 helmets were distributed among Road Traffic Violators and Safe Drive Save Life stickers were given to 200 cars.

This sensitization took place across sensitive and accident prone areas of Kolkata which included Patuli. Bagha Jatin, Garia, Malancha and Minakhan.  It was also attended by Shri. Gautam Sarkar (IPS) Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kolkata Traffic Police, Shri. Prabir Bhattacharya Officer in Charge, Garia Traffic Guard, Kolkata Traffic Police, Shri. Kaushik Majumder Sergeant & Save Drive Save Life Programme Coordinator, Shri. Joydev Pal Officer in Charge, Minakhan Traffic Police, West Bengal Traffic Police, Dr. Souvanik Bhattacharya Doctor Representative, For Session on Golden Hour Action, Shri Biswajit Mondal representative from Transport Department and all traffic police officials from Minakhan Traffic Guard.

Media Coverage’s

WDR

World Day of Remembrance 2019

World Day of Remembrance 2019

World Day of Remembrance 2019

“Life is not a Car Part”

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November every year – to remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected. This year’s slogan of World Day of Remembrance is ‘Life is not a Car Part’.Consumer VOICE considers Road Safety as an important safety issue for consumers. Considering this need we are educating consumers and spreading awareness on various road safety aspects through educational and outreach activities. The entire world experiences a number of road accidents and serious injuries. This annual global event represents a significant opportunity to call attention to the pathetic road safety situation in India.

 

This year Consumer VOICE along with its state partners organised various event on the occasion of WDR :

Media supported the events and provide wide coverage in the states.

Lucknow Uttar Pradesh:

Consumer Guild, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh with support from Consumer VOICE, Delhi, organized “Shraddhanjali Sabha” to pay tribute to road traffic victims on the occasion of World Day of Remembrance on 17th Nov 2019. A peaceful walk started from Kakori By Pass to the entry point of Lucknow – Agra Express Highway, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh and demanded safer roads for all. They also demanded the State Government to strongly implement the new rules of MVA 2019.

More than 50 people participated in the peace walk, including representatives from NGOs, lawyers, students, doctors, Nursing Association, bankers, corporate sector representative, Ex-Army Welfare Federation. Many Victims /Family members joined the event. This year’s slogan of World Day of Remembrance –“Life is not car part” was prominently displayed on banners and placards. Early notification of MVAA was demanded by the participants. The walkathon was ended by two minutes silence (mourn) in the memory of road accident victims and candles were lighted in the remembrance of Road Traffic Victims.

Ambala, Haryana:

Citizens Awareness Group, with support from Consumer VOICE, Delhi organized an event to strengthen road safety and tribute meeting for road safety victims on November 16th November 2019 at Amarapali hotel Ambala-Haryana. Shri Satyanarayan SHO Traffic, Shri Bhushan, Senior Road Safety Inspector, Shri Rashit Bajaj, Senior Road Safety Associate participated and addressed the gathering. They discussed about the positive aspects of theMVAA. Shri Surinder Verma-Chairman Citizens Awareness Group and Smt.Reena Singla Secretary were present along with people from NGOs, representative of CSOs working on road safety, and lawyer’s etc.It was covered well by Media. The tribute meeting was ended by two minutes silence in the memory of road accident victims and candles were lighted in the remembrance of Road Traffic Victims.

Guwahati, Assam:

Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam, with support from Consumer VOICE, Delhi organized a peaceful walk from Guwahati Medical College Road, Bhangagarh on Sunday 17 November in association with Chakshu, Guwahati to gave tribute on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and demanded safer roads for all. Dr. Karavi Barman, Principal-In-Charge, NEF Law College inaugurated the peace walk, students, residents ,representatives from NGOs /CSOs working on road safety and lawyers participated in the walk. It was a very successful event and media covered it well through print and online coverage. Strict Implementation of MVAA was demanded by the participants. The walkathon ended with a two-minute silence in the memory of road accident victims.

Delhi:

Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, Delhi with support from Consumer VOICE organized a peace walk at Mayur vihar in Delhi with participation from Local residents mainly parents of school going children. Citizen demanded for strict implementation of MVAA .A talk was also organized in which Shri S C Sharma of Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti and Shri Hemant Upadhyay Consumer VOICE addressed the parents and children about road safety and main provisions of MVAA. The peace walk was ended by two minutes silence in the memory of road accident victims and candles were lighted in the remembrance of Road Traffic Victims.

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh:

A Stakeholders Consultation on Strengthening Road Safety in the State of Madhya Pradesh organized by National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE), Bhopal with support from Consumer VOICE (New Delhi) on 19th Nov 2019. The objective of the event was to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and to create awareness about the road safety to minimize road accidents. Shri Naresh Annotia, DSP,Traffic stressed that youth need to be disciplined and follow traffic rules for not only to reduce the chances of road accidents, but to help smooth flow of traffic and reduce vehicular pollution in cities. Shri Himanshu Tiwari, Subedar (Traffic) spoke at length about the magnitude of road accidents, their causes and the lives it takes every year in India and in Madhya Pradesh. He explained various precautionary measures and traffic signage which every motor vehicle driver should know and follow to remain safe.

During discussion it was highlighted that despite Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 became effective from 1st September 2019 and several states have implemented it, Government of Madhya Pradesh is yet to take a decision to implement it. It was also highlighted that the new provisions of MVAA have been made with the view to discourage offences and that the increase in penalties are not only a means of deterrent but also not high in real term if one consider the price escalation during the 30 years.

Click here to read all the media updates

Remembering Victims on WDR – OPEd in Financial Express by Parvesh Verma

Remembering Victims on WDR – OPEd in Financial Express by Parvesh Verma

On the sombre occasion of World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) 2018, Mr Parvesh Verma, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha requested all citizens to remember those families who have lost their loved ones due to road accidents. Roads Have Stories, was this year’s theme for WDoR. Every year hundreds of lives are lost on the roads in India due to various factors. It is time the government must pass the MVA Bill 2017 to ensure safety on Indian roads.

Remembering the victims, Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma wrote an OpEd in Financial Express. Click here to read the full article.

 

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