Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Co-Chairs of the International Road Safety Caucus issued the following statement marking the 25th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020:
“On the 25th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we remember all of the people killed and seriously injured on the roads, thank first responders for their bravery, and re-dedicate ourselves to the task of preventing these tragedies. As Co-Chairs of the Global Road Safety Caucus, Congressman Hudson and I call on our colleagues in the United States Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and every community in America to remember, support, and act to prevent these avoidable tragedies and save lives,” said Hastings.
“As Co-Chair of the Global Road Safety Caucus in Congress, I join with my colleague Congressman Hastings to recognize the 25th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. We must continue to promote safety practices and make improvements to our roads and infrastructure to protect people and families,” said Hudson.
BACKGROUND:
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, was initiated in 1995 as the European Day of Remembrance and quickly spread around the globe. In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/2, recognizing November 15th as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
This year, the stated goals of World Day of Remembrance 2020 include remembering all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; acknowledging the crucial work of the emergency services; advocating for better support to road traffic victims and their families; and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries.
In September 2020, the United Nations passed a resolution declaring the years 2021 to 2030 a new Decade of Action for Road Safety. Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 includes a call to address the personal, medical, and financial burdens associated with road traffic deaths and injuries.
More than one 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. In Florida’s 20th Congressional district and North Carolina’s 8th Congressional district, road traffic crashes claimed 1,947 and 669 lives respectively between 2014 and 2018, costing an estimated combined $27 billion in medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damages, administrative costs, and uninsured costs.
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Dean and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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