FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHAT: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – Sunday, November 21, 2021 – is taking on extra urgency as the number of people dying and severely injured in preventable traffic crashes in the U.S. is rising at an alarming rate.
In 2020, 42,060 people died in motor vehicle crashes – an 8% increase over 2019, despite fewer people driving due to pandemic conditions. This equates to a 24% spike in the rate of traffic deaths, according to National Safety Council (NSC) estimates.
And 2021 is shaping up to be even more deadly, with an estimated 16% increase in traffic deaths in the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, according to NSC.
The World Day of Remembrance is an international event, started in 2005, honoring the 1.35 million people killed and millions more injured on the world’s roads each year and organizing for change to prevent such tragedies (learn how to reach Vision Zero – zero traffic deaths or severe injuries – in the U.S.).
Communities across the U.S. are organizing events to urge change at the local and state levels – including lowering speed limits and re-designing roads to safely welcome people walking and bicycling. This year’s events will also call on President Biden and the U.S. Congress to make a national commitment to Zero Traffic Deaths. A bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Resolution (S. Res. 321, H. Res. 565) calling for a national Vision Zero goal and plan is gaining traction.
Local World Day of Remembrance events will include candlelight vigils, rallies, bike rides, Sermons for Safe Streets, and visual memorials to those lost, as well as a range of online events (see a summary and images of last year’s events).
WHO: World Day of Remembrance in the U.S. is led by members of Families for Safe Streets (FSS) – individuals who have been injured or lost loved ones in traffic crashes, working to confront traffic violence in communities in the U.S. – and the Vision Zero Network – a national advocacy group working for safe mobility for all – partnering with local- and state-level street safety advocates, faith leaders, community members, elected officials and dignitaries from across the nation.
WHEN: Events will occur at various times on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Additional activities will lead up to the date. Event details.
WHERE: Globally and nationwide. In the U.S., 2020 events were organized in the following places (and more): Atlanta, Austin/Central Texas, Boise, Boston, Champaign-Urbana, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles/Southern California, Nashville, New Haven, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, St. Paul, Tampa, Tempe, Toronto, Virginia (Richmond, Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax), Washington DC, and more.
Check for additional 2021 events planned throughout the U.S.
To participate in World Day of Remembrance and collaborate with others, please sign up here.
For more information, contact:
Leah Shahum, Vision Zero Network, leah@visionzeronetwork.org
Amy Cohen, Families for Safe Streets, amy@familiesforsafestreets.org