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Promoting National Awareness of Road Safety

National Year of Road Safety, 2011

The National Year of Road Safety 2011 aims to promote road safety across Canada and reach the targets and sub-targets set out in Canada's Road Safety Vision. Transport Canada and other road safety organizations are taking action to meet this goal. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators’ new Road Safety Strategy 2015 outlines the direction of road safety in Canada for the next five years.

Learn about Road Safety Vision.

National Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

The National Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed in many countries as part of the UN Road Safety Collaboration. Its history includes:

  • 1993: The remembrance day for road traffic victims was started by the United Kingdom organization, RoadPeace.
  • 1995: The General Assembly of European Federation of Road Traffic Victims supported a European Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
  • Since 1998: Argentina, Australia, Israel, South Africa, and Trinidad have adopted and observed the remembrance day.
  • October 26, 2005: The United Nations General Assembly called for the third Sunday in November to be recognized as an annual day of remembrance for road traffic victims. This announcement was part of UN resolution A/60/5 on improving global road safety, www.unece.org/trans/roadsafe/docs/A-RES-60-5e.pdf
  • November 2007: Quebec observed a Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.
  • November 19, 2008: Canada observed its first National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. The event was held on the Wednesday following the third Sunday in November, which is the world Remembrance Day. 

The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada is a day set aside to remember those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads, often in avoidable collisions, and those left to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of people they love. This year Canada will hold its fourth annual “National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims”. November 23, is your opportunity to remember the victims, and to express your support. This date is chosen based on the Wednesday following the third Sunday in November.

Please visit the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims website for more information on events and tools to help you observe the day in your region.

Specific events for this day will be posted on this site.

Do you want to organize an event for the day of remembrance for road crash victims? The World Health Organization, RoadPeace and the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims have prepared a free guide with helpful suggestions: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2006/9241594527_eng.pdf.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has officially announced in March 2010 a Decade of Action for Road Safety for the period 2011 – 2020. The goal is to stabilize and reduce the number of road traffic deaths and injuries, by increasing action to save lives on the world’s roads. The Decade of Action for Road Safety resolution was proclaimed and cosponsored by over 90 governments around the world. The UN Road Safety collaborations and its partners have developed a Global Plan of action to provide an overall framework of efforts that may take place to support the Decade.

Other road safety events

Throughout the year, many road safety events (conferences, meetings, etc) take place across Canada and around the world. Follow the links to learn more:

Date modified:
2011-03-11