HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorld Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic VictimsPROCLAMATION
WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS
NOVEMBER 19, 2023
WHEREAS, The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR) is commemorated
on the third Sunday of November each year; and
WHEREAS, It is a high-profile global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and
seriously injured on the world’s roads and to acknowledge the suffering of all affected
victims, families and communities – millions added each year to countless millions
already suffering: a truly tremendous cumulative toll; and
WHEREAS, WDoR has also become an important tool for governments and all those whose work
involves crash prevention or response to the aftermath of crashes, since it offers the
opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries,
call for an end to the often trivial and inappropriate response to road death and injury
and advocate for urgent concerted action to stop the carnage; and
WHEREAS, Safe streets and roads contribute to the health, equity and sustainability of communities
by making it possible for people to walk, bike and safely commute; and
WHEREAS, From 2019-2022, Minnesota experienced a 26% rise in traffic fatalities. In 2019
Minnesota had 364 traffic fatalities and last year there were 444; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, more than 46,000 people were killed in roadway crashes in the United States,
according to the National Safety Council. While this is a slight (0.3%) decrease from the
prior year, in 2021 U.S. traffic deaths reached a 16-year high, the largest annual
percentage increase in the nation’s reporting history; and
WHEREAS, The United States ranks the worst amongst 29 high-income countries analyzed for road
safety by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The population-based death rate in
the United States is 11.1 per 100,000 population, which is the highest amongst the 29
high-income countries and 2.3 times the average rate of the 28 other countries (4.8
per100,000); and
WHEREAS, Speeding and other forms of reckless driving put the people who build and repair roads
and streets at risk. On World Day of Remembrance, we too pay tribute to the
dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals who deal daily with the
traumatic aftermath of road crashes.
ames B. Hovland, ayor
NOW, THEREFORE, the Edina City Council, do hereby proclaim November 19, 2023, to be
WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS
in Edina, and that the City Council of the City of Edina supports the following actions related to WDoR:
I . Remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; and,
2. Acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services; and,
3. Draw attention to the generally trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries and
advocate for an appropriately serious response; and,
4. Advocate for better support for road traffic victims and victim f lies; and,
5. Promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop ur her road traffic deaths and
injuries.
Dated this 8th day of November, 2023.