REMEMBERING ROAD CRASH VICTIMS

On Wednesday November 17th, 2021 the University of Nairobi marked the World Day of Remembrance of Road Crash Victims (WDoR). This day is observed globally every year on the third Sunday of November.

WDoR is dedicated to remembering the overall scale and the individual devastation of road crash deaths and injuries and how road crashes affect families and communities all over the world. Every day, thousands of people are killed or injured in road accidents across the globe and these people have relatives who have to cope with the loss of their loved ones or the effects of injury on their loved ones. The Day of Remembrance also aims to draw attention to the tireless efforts of emergency personnel and the legal responses to culpable road deaths and injuries.

2021’s Day of Remembrance commemorations are very important because they mark the beginning of the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. The new Decade of Action aims to highlight the very reasons for all the necessary actions during this coming decade.  The end goal is to advocate for better evidence-based action in order to prevent road deaths and injuries.

Speaking at the UoN World Day of Remembrance of Road Crash Victims, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi, Prof. Stephen G. Kiama acknowledged that the university community was not exempt when it came to being affected by road crashes and thus it was important to commemorate WDoR and lead in actions that would minimize road crashes.

WDoR 2021 is timely as it puts a spotlight on reducing traffic speeds which could in turn prevent deaths and injuries.