People from across the world will come together to remember all those who have been killed or injured in road traffic accidents on Sunday, the date for this year’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR). 

The day of remembrance, which has been formally recognised by the UN for 10 years, is held on the third Sunday of November every year. WDR is dedicated to remembering the millions of people who have been killed or injured on roads all over the world, with events and remembrance services taking place across the UK and worldwide. 

Latest statistics from the Department for Transport show that there were 1,775 road deaths in the UK during 2014 and 22,807 people were seriously injured on UK roads during the same period. Worldwide, an estimated 1.25 million people die as a result of road traffic collisions every year

The theme for WDR 2015 is ‘Say no to road crime!’ to try to encourage all road users to adhere to the rules of the road, including sticking to the speed limit, not using mobile phones at the wheel and not driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

David Robinson, a serious injury solicitor at Thompsons’ Newcastle office and chairman of RoadPeace North East said: “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a poignant opportunity to remember those people who have tragically lost their lives in road traffic collisions. 

“As chairman of RoadPeace North East, I attended the World Day of Remembrance memorial service at Durham Cathedral earlier this month, a service that provides families with an opportunity to remember their loved one and to meet people who have experienced similar tragedies. 

“The day also acts as a stark reminder of the intolerable number of road deaths that occur on our roads every year. We will not tackle this scourge or see it reduce without commitment from the government, including proper investment in road infrastructure, better education for young drivers and appropriate resources for traffic policing.”