[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6620-S6621]
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 responders 
for their role in saving lives; to reflect on the impact of road deaths 
on families and communities, 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 ``Life is not a car part.'' 
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

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from road crashes every year, and tens of millions are seriously 
injured. Road traffic crashes are the No. 1 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, highlighted the gravity of this issue and the imperative 
to fix it:

       Every 27 seconds somewhere in the world a person dies in a 
     road crash. Those of us who have lost loved ones in a crash 
     know only too well the ongoing pain and devastation that this 
     tragedy causes families and communities. Road crashes are 
     preventable. We must all work together so that the hopes and 
     dreams of our loved ones are not shattered in the roads of 
     the world.

  We all need to do our part to take action to prevent these avoidable 
tragedies and to save lives.

                          ____________________