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.