World day of remembrance for road traffic victims

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims - the third Sunday of November each year - is a time to remember the many millions of people killed in road traffic crashes annually worldwide and draw attention to the devastating consequences of these deaths on families and communities.

"In a split second, a traffic crash transforms forever the life of a family. Behind each statistic, there are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, colleagues, classmates and friends," says WHO.

The World Day of Remembrance was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 as a special day to acknowledge victims of road traffic crashes and their families. In adopting the resolution, the United Nations General Assembly also invited Member States to implement the recommendations of the World report on road traffic injury prevention, compiled by WHO and the World Bank, and to establish national lead agencies on road safety, along with action plans to reduce road traffic deaths.

A DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY

Recognizing the tremendous global burden of fatalities resulting from road crashes, the General Assembly of United nations has proclaimed the period 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the goal of stabilizing and eventually reducing the number deaths and injuries.

Road traffic injuries remain among the three leading causes of death for people between 5 and 44 years of age, and the resulting injuries cost an estimated $518 billion globally, as well as costing Governments between 1 per cent and 3 per cent of their gross national product.  They are predicted to become the fifth leading global cause of death by 2030 unless immediate action is taken.  In some regions, road deaths are already the leading cause of death (Between 15 and 44 years of age) and second most important cause of death for the 5- to 14‑year-old age group.

Magnitude of the problem, increasing trends – world wide

• Each year nearly 1.3 million people die
• More than 3000 deaths each day
• 20 to 50 million disabilities
• Ninety percent of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
• The economic consequences of road insecurity - total over $518 billion

International road crash victim’s day (3^rd Sunday - Nov 21^st 2010)

A road crash cause three shades of darkness namely trauma, disability and death. Youth task force in association with Coimbatore city Police and Indian oil corporation appeals to the friends and family members of the road crash victims, disabled and the crash survivors to stand united and express their concern for human safety on vehicle dominant roads.

All concerned humans, students, crash survivors, family members of victims, government officials, corporate, NGOs, press media, doctors, drivers and volunteers are requested to assemble at Sarvajana Higher Secondary School, avinasi road , peelamedu, Coimbatore  on 21^st Nov between 9 am and 6 pm to offer floral tribute to the road crash victims.

Honourable Commissioner of Police Dr.C.Sylendra Babu IPS will offer the first flower in remembrance of those who have lost their lives on road.

Youth task force has been observing this day in various parts of the city and state for the last 3 years. The NGO has also conducted many useful campaigns such as “30 days, 360 degree vigilant approach to save school children while crossing the road” “TV quiz show in association with transport department during road safety week” “Uyir kakka oru nimidam” “One minute to save life”- a direct road safety education program at 30 petrol pumps of Indian oil corporation for 6 months, Screening of short films and educating corporate on core components of road safety, seminars to various sectors including ambulance drivers etc.

From global remembrance to global action…

• YTF in association with Road safety resource center is introducing an Emergency ID card to help road users when they meet with a road crash. The 24x7 call center will then inform the entire family network & medical network to help the situation of a victim immediately.

• India’s first book that has covered various aspects of vehicle and road usage titled Traffic Signs & Science is being released for educating the next generation road users.

• The state’s first road safety education center will also be opened for every road user to understand the need for spending one minute to learn fundamentals than surrendering the entire life below the wheels.

• Road crash victims will be given self employment opportunities

The institute will also carry many useful education materials, short films, posters, slogans, and many more. Please visit www.roadsafetyresourcecenter.com for more details.