Earlier this week, 22 November, the World Health Organization (WHO) through the UN Road Safety Collaboration held a special live stream event to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The stream was divided into three parts; Remember. Support. Act. Each focused on key actions the respective stakeholders are taking toward ending the loss of lives on the world’s roads.
The session was hosted by WHO Director for the Social Determinants of Health, Dr. Etienne Krug, and featured different road safety leaders and activists Zoleka Mandela from Child Health Initiative, Tshaka Campbell from Soul City Arts, Peter Frazer from the SARAH Group, Maolin Macatangay from YOURS – Youth for Road Safety, and Abdulla Shahid – president of the UN General Assembly.
The session began with Zoleka Mandela talking about the experience of losing a loved one in her daughter, Zenani, to a road crash. She called on governments to start acting to address road safety concerns around the world. She emphasized the importance of implementing 30 km/h speed limits and promoting low-speed streets to create spaces where everyone can walk, live, and play.
Peter Frazer also shared his experience of losing his daughter, Sarah, to a road crash. He recounted how the tragedy resulted in the creation of the SARAH Group – Safer Australian Roads and Highways – that now makes sure to keep children and other vulnerable road users safe.
Throughout the session, Tshaka Campbell performed a three-part poem about remembering road crash victims, supporting the families and friends of those who have been affected by road crashes, and acting to make sure that no one suffers the same tragedy again. “One life lost is one life too many,” – Dr. Etienne Krug.
The last segment, ACT, featured YOURS Communications Officer Maolin Macatangay. During her intervention, Mao talked about the Global Plan and how young people, through the Youth Coalition, are using it to strengthen their impacts on road safety in their regions and communities.
The session ended with Dr. Krug reiterating the necessity of governments working with different stakeholders to curb road-related deaths and injuries around the world. He also pointed out how crucial the involvement of youth is in achieving the targets in the new Decade of Action for Road Safety.