Today, Nov. 19, marks the seventh annual National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. This day is set aside to remember those killed or seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes on Canada’s roads, and the families, friends and colleagues who have been affected by these tragedies.
Each year in Canada, almost 2,100 people are killed in road crashes and 165,000 are injured, according to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, which is the steward of the national day.
On average, one person dies every five hours on Canadian roads, and these fatalities and injuries are mostly preventable. Alcohol, drugs, speeding, driver distraction, fatigue and failure to buckle up are key factors that can contribute to collisions, says the council.
Every day, millions of Canadian drive as part of their work, whether it be operating the vehicle for their job or using a personal vehicle to get to to work. Driving is the most hazardous part of the work day for many Canadians.
The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims is an opportunity for stakeholders to raise awareness of the key factors that cause crashes, and to engage in actions to keep all road users safe.
The idea for a day of remembrance was started in 1993 by a British charity called RoadPeace. In 2005 the United Nations decided to make the "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" the third Sunday of November, which is now overseen by the World Health Organization. The Canadian national day was launched in 2007.
Each year in Canada, almost 2,100 people are killed in road crashes and 165,000 are injured, according to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, which is the steward of the national day.
On average, one person dies every five hours on Canadian roads, and these fatalities and injuries are mostly preventable. Alcohol, drugs, speeding, driver distraction, fatigue and failure to buckle up are key factors that can contribute to collisions, says the council.
Every day, millions of Canadian drive as part of their work, whether it be operating the vehicle for their job or using a personal vehicle to get to to work. Driving is the most hazardous part of the work day for many Canadians.
The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims is an opportunity for stakeholders to raise awareness of the key factors that cause crashes, and to engage in actions to keep all road users safe.
The idea for a day of remembrance was started in 1993 by a British charity called RoadPeace. In 2005 the United Nations decided to make the "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" the third Sunday of November, which is now overseen by the World Health Organization. The Canadian national day was launched in 2007.
