[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, the World Day of Remembrance for Road 
Traffic Victims commemorates the millions of people killed and injured 
on the world's roads. It is also a day to thank emergency services for 
their role in saving lives; to reflect on the impact of road deaths on 
families and communities; and to draw attention to the need for 
improved legislation, awareness, infrastructure, and technology to save 
more families from the tragedy of losing a loved one.
  Since the United Nations recognized the World Day of Remembrance for 
Road Traffic Victims, its observance has spread to a growing number of 
countries on every continent. The day has become an important advocacy 
tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties, and the theme of this 
year's World Day of Remembrance is ``Roads have Stories.'' 
Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 calls 
on governments and their stakeholders, including NGOs and private 
citizens, to address the personal, medical, and financial burdens 
associated with road deaths and injuries. More than 1 million people 
die from road crashes every year and tens of millions are seriously 
injured. Road traffic crashes are the number one killer of young people 
aged 15-29 and the eighth leading cause of death among all people 
worldwide.
  Rochelle Sobel, president of the Association for Safe International 
Road Travel, said, ``The World Day of Remembrance is an important 
opportunity to stand together with the global community to commemorate 
road victims and call for an end to the crisis on our roads. No one 
should have to go through the needless, preventable loss of a child, a 
brother, a mother, a friend, killed in a road traffic crash. This 
year's theme reminds us that roads and streets are more than 
connections from point A to point B. They tell stories, some of them 
tragic, which are worth remembering. We owe it to our loved ones to do 
what we can to educate our children, drive responsibly and advocate 
with our governments to implement and enforce policies that will 
protect road users and prevent more families from suffering the pain of 
losing a loved one on the road.''
  We all need to do our part to take action to prevent these avoidable 
tragedies and to save lives.

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