The World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims was started by Road Peace in 1993. Since then, the day has been observed and promoted worldwide. In October 2005, the United Nations endorsed the day as a global day to be observed every third Sunday in November each year, and adopted a resolution calling on governments to commemorate the day in remembrance of road traffic victims in their respective countries. Thus the day was made a major advocacy day for road traffic injury prevention globally.
In November 2011, the Conference of African Ministers of Transport (CAMT) convened in Luanda, Angola from 21-25 November 2011. The meeting, among others, adopted the African Road Safety Plan of Action (ARSPA) in accordance with the Unite Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution proclaiming 2011-2020 as the decade of Action for Road Safety. In addition the Conference resolved to adopt the third Sunday of November, which is generally regarded as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims as Africa’s Road Safety Day. This led to the adoption of decision (Ex.CL/Dec.682 (XX)) by the Executive Council of the African Union, thus formally establishing the Africa’s Road Safety Day (ARSD).
As road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent and traumatic events, their impact is long-lasting and most often permanent. The ARSD was created to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and the plight of their relatives who are forced to cope with the emotional and practical consequences of these tragic events.
The 2013 Africa Road Safety season was rightfully commemorated in the Zambezi Region for the purpose driving home the road safety message while the memories of the recent accident that claimed 7 lives there were still fresh and many hearts still in pain. In his statement at the occasion, the Chairman of the NRSC Mr George Simataa, stated that, “Those who departed had all the right to be alive today, they had all the right to pursue and fulfil their dreams, but unfortunately their lies were cut short, hence the need to accord them a special day.”
The event was attended by dignitaries such as the Governor, Senior Officials from the Regional Council and the Local Authority as well as religious bodies and the private sector.
