Communities across the UK will come together on Sunday, November 19th, 2023, to observe the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – a day dedicated to commemorating the millions of lives lost and families destroyed by road collisions worldwide.

The annual event, held on the third Sunday of November, sheds light on the devastating impact of road deaths and injuries on individuals, families and communities.

More than 1.3 million people are needlessly killed every year on the world’s roads. Between 20 and 50 million more suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury.*

RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, local authorities, police forces and communities, have organised a series of memorial services to honour the lives lost and support the bereaved on this poignant day.

Word Day of Remembrance is also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the emergency serves for the vital role they play in responding to crashes and their prevention efforts.

The services are scheduled to take place on Sunday November 19th, at various locations across the country.

Here are some of the services organised by RoadPeace:

RoadPeace London and South East

Location: St James’ Church, Piccadilly, W1J 9LL

Time: 2:30pm

Contact: Seth Ludewick – seth.ludewick@roadpeace.org

RoadPeace West Midlands local group

Location: St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, B5 5BB

Time: 2:30pm

Contact: Lucy Harrison – lucie479@hotmail.com

RoadPeace East Midlands local group

Location: Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, NN1 3NL

Time: 3:00pm

Contact: Chris/Nicole Taylor – onetanglewood@btopenworld.com

RoadPeace South West local group

Location: Pigeon Park, Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR

Time: 11:00am

Contact – info@roadpeace.org

Several other services are being organised by local authorities, police forces, and communities, emphasising the widespread support for this important cause:

Lancashire RoadPeace Service

Location: The Platinum Jubilee Hall, County Hall, Preston PR1 8RL1

Time: 12.00pm

Contact: roadsafetyeducation@lancashire.gov.uk

Sheffield Service

Location: Upper Chapel (Unitarian), Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JD

Time: 11.00am

Contact: Rev Andi Phillips – andi@upperchapelsheffield.org.uk

North Yorkshire Service

Locations: Ripon Cathedral, HG4 1QS

Time: 3.30pm

Contact: judithbustard@riponcathedral.org.uk

Leeds SCARD Oakleaf Memorial Service

Location: Leeds Minster, St Peters House, Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ

Hull Service

Location: St Mary’s Church, Lowgate, Hull HU1 1EJ

Time: 2:30pm

Contact: roadsafety@hullcc.gov.uk

Thames Valley Road Death Memorial Service

Location: St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Thame, OX9 3AJ

Time: 2.30pm

Contact: RDMS@hampshire.police.uk

Hampshire Road Death Memorial Service

Location: Christ Church, St Cross, Winchester, SO23 9SR

Time: 2.30pm

Contact: RDMS@hampshire.police.uk

Remembering Lives Lost and Injured on our roads in Warwickshire

Location: St Marys Church, Warwick, CV34 4RA

Time: 3.00pm

Contact: faywileman@warwickshire.gov.uk

Lincolnshire Road Victims Memorial Garden Service

Location: St Botolph’s Church, Church Street, Boston PE21 6NW

Time: 2.00pm

Contact: Anne Bourne – annelou.ab@gmail.com

Southampton Cycling Campaign Service

Location: East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YN

Time: 1.30pm

Find out more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/721006933249531

Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, said: “It is heart-warming to see just how many services are being held this year, in the UK alone, to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2023.

“Not only do these events remember the many lives needlessly lost in crashes on our roads, but they also make a stand against the unacceptable number of people who continue to be killed and injured in collisions. Last year alone, a staggering 135,480 were reported killed or injured in crashes on the UK’s roads.”

For more information about World Day of Remembrance and the memorial services here: https://www.roadpeace.org/remembering-lives-lost/world-day-of-remembrance/

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed annually on the third Sunday of November, has its origins in the advocacy work of Brigitte Chaudhry MBE, founder of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, and now the charity’s President.

After losing her son in a road crash in 1990, Brigitte became a dedicated campaigner for crash victims’ rights. In 1992, she founded RoadPeace, and her efforts led to the establishment of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which was first observed in 1995. The event has since grown into a global movement, and is now observed in countries in every continent of the world.