Traffic Violence Day of Remembrance Highlights Road Safety and Policy Issues

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed annually on the third Sunday in November, aims to highlight and address traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Originating in England over 30 years ago, the day has expanded globally and focuses on recognizing the ongoing impact of what organizers refer to as "traffic violence" rather than the more benign term "accidents." This terminology shift underscores the preventable and often systemic nature of these incidents. In Columbus, Ohio, a local remembrance event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including victims' families, first responders, healthcare providers, transportation officials, and insurance industry representatives. The event emphasized the significance of language in shaping public perception and policy, advocating for terminology that accurately reflects the severity and causes of road incidents. Distractions such as cell phone use were highlighted as major contributors to crashes, with experts emphasizing that the act of driving demands full situational awareness. The event also commemorated the 89 lives lost in Franklin County traffic crashes in 2024 through a symbolic display of flowers. While the event focused primarily on awareness and advocacy, it only briefly touched on infrastructure issues. The design of roads, particularly multi-lane thoroughfares with limited pedestrian crossings, contributes to the risk of traffic violence, especially for pedestrians and in areas with high-speed traffic and larger vehicles. Overall, the Day of Remembrance serves as a platform to promote safety, prevention policies, and a cultural shift in how road incidents are perceived by the public and policymakers. It underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration involving transportation planning, emergency response, healthcare, and insurance sectors to address the complex factors leading to traffic violence.