[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      WORLD REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD CRASH VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in observance of the World 
Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims and their Families, which was 
on Sunday, November 16, 2008, and to remember the countless victims of 
road crashes worldwide and offer my sincerest condolences to their 
families. Each year, road traffic crashes kill nearly 1.3 million 
people worldwide and injure over 50 million more. It is time for 
drastic measures to be taken to counter this unacceptable statistic, 
and until we take such action, the number of deaths and disabilities 
from road traffic crashes will continue to increase. At the current 
rate of growth, road traffic accidents will be the eighth leading cause 
of death by the year 2030.
  The unfortunate reality of traffic accidents is that they are 
indiscriminate and affect victims regardless of age and class. 
Globally, more than 40% of all road traffic deaths occur among 
individuals under 25 years old, and crashes are the second leading 
cause of death for young people aged 5-25 years. Road crashes also come 
at a great cost to the global economy. It is estimated that road 
traffic crashes cost $518 billion globally each year. In developing 
countries, road traffic crashes have a dramatic impact on their fragile 
economies, costing an estimated $100 billion, often exceeding the total 
amount received by these countries in development assistance.
  The real tragedy is that road traffic crashes are predictable and can 
be prevented. It is critical that America play an active role 
domestically and internationally to address traffic accidents. Many 
countries have achieved sharp reductions in the number of crashes and 
the frequency and severity of traffic-related injuries by addressing 
key issues, but this progress can be enhanced by encouraging 
governments to create lead road safety agencies in the image of our 
lead road safety agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, the Congressional Caucus on 
Global Road Safety, which I am privileged to co-chair with Congressman 
Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, is involved in efforts to encourage 
governments to improve reporting standards for deaths of their citizens 
abroad from road crashes so that more light can be shed light on the 
impact of this global epidemic.
  As more Americans travel globally and more of our college students 
participate in study abroad programs in developing countries around the 
world, many of them will be at risk of injury or death due to hazardous 
traffic conditions. Now is the time to do whatever is possible to keep 
them safe, and it is essential as the international community stands 
together in remembrance of global road traffic victims that the United 
States join the United Nations, NGOs, and foreign governments in 
commemorating this important day and work swiftly to implement policies 
that will prevent further accidents and the needless loss of life.

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