November 16th: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Details: Created: Monday, 17 November 2025 13:25

Today, we remember those who have tragically lost their lives in traffic accidents and those who have been left disabled by these unfortunate events that could have been prevented. But we also remember their loved ones, who suffer profound and (in many cases) irreversible damage to their physical and mental health. The emotional burden borne by the victims and their families is overwhelming.

Last year, at least 1,200,000 people lost their lives on roads and highways worldwide. In Argentina, each year nearly 6,000 people die in traffic accidents, and thousands more are seriously injured and suffer permanent disabilities, resulting in a loss of quality of life, independence, and self-esteem.

But road accidents also involve a high economic cost and a public health problem that requires immediate action.

Within the framework of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims established by the United Nations, Luchemos por la Vida developed various activities:

Letter to Pope Leo XIV. With the support of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (CEMI), Luchemos sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV reminding him of this date, and asking him for a prayer in memory of all traffic victims in the world and their families, as well as a call to all parishioners to be responsible and solidary in the traffic system.

The Holy Father remembered them and prayed for them last Sunday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during the Angelus, when he addressed all his faithful.

(Click image to see video)

We reached out to more than 3000 Argentine radio stations, television channels, news agencies, social networks and other audiovisual media, asking them to spread awareness regarding this date and its meaning, calling for road safety to avoid adding more victims to the tragic statistics.

We shared a tribute video to traffic victims. “20 faces and stories of the victims.”

(Click image to see video)

Three hundred posters were distributed to parishes in the City of Buenos Aires and given to the bishops present at the recent meeting of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for distribution to parishes throughout the country. Each bishop and priest was asked to say a few words during Mass, not only in memory of the victims, but also about the responsibility of believers to drive safely and protect life. In response to this request, many bishops and priests dedicated time during their homilies to this topic.

We support the commemoration of the Families of Traffic Victims to be held in the City of Buenos Aires at the monument dedicated to them.

Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones.

And we urgently call on the responsible authorities to not only provide support to the survivors but also implement all necessary actions to increase road safety, as proposed in the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action to significantly reduce the number of road traffic fatalities.

The best tribute to the victims is to demand road safety on streets and highways.