DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR

ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, November 19,  2021:  The following is the message of UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on the occasion of the Day of remembrance for road traffic victims:

Every 24 seconds a life is cut short because of a road traffic collision.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a time to reflect on the tragic deaths of millions of people.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of reducing traffic speeds to prevent death and serious injury – in particular of young women and men at the start of their adult lives, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users such as children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

I urge every country, company, and citizen to support local and global efforts to make roads safer, especially in low- and middle-income countries where more than 90 percent of the world’s road fatalities occur.  I also encourage all Member States to accede to United Nations road safety conventions and implement whole-of-society action plans – and urge all donors to scale up much-needed financial and technical contributions through the United Nations Road Safety Fund.

As we look ahead to next year’s High-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to improve road safety, let us remember that every one of us has a role to play in keeping roads safe.

Today and every day, let us commit to making roads safer for everyone, everywhere.