World Remembrance Day Observed on Capitol Hill

The Make Roads Safe campaign has participated in a US Congressional briefing to mark the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims.

Rochelle Sobel, Congressman Van Hollen and Marilena Amoni of NHTSA

Attended by members of the public as well as Congressional staff, the briefing highlighted the effect on road crash deaths and injuries on families and communities, with a focus on taking action to prevent future tragedies. Representing the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, Co-Chair Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland stated, "It is important that we work to educate those traveling abroad about road safety and road conditions and to remember those whose lives have been lost in road crashes.”

Congressman Van Hollen also commended his Co-Chair and Caucus Founder Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), and the Make Roads Safe campaign for their efforts.

NHTSA Associate Administrator Marilena Amoni gave the keynote presentation about NHTSA’s role as a model for road safety agencies around the world. She cited the passage of primary seatbelt laws and the Click or Ticket Campaign as examples of lifesaving efforts in the U.S.

Speakers at the hearing included ASIRT President Rochelle Sobel, who founded the organization after her son’s death in a bus crash in Turkey, and Dr. Bella Dinh-Zarr, North American Director of Make Roads Safe, who urged attendees to support the upcoming UN resolution on road safety and to add their signatures to the 500,000 supporters of the Campaign for Global Road Safety, saying “Let’s make it a Day of Remembrance and a Day of Action!”

Designated by the United Nations and recently upheld by joint resolutions in the U.S. House and Senate, World Remembrance Day is observed on the third Sunday of November. Candlelight vigils, memorial services, local government recognition, and educational programs are taking place across the United States.

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