The United Nations and the Thai Government has endorsed every third Sunday of November, as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, as a day to honour and remember those lost in road traffic accidents. This day is not only about remembrance but also a call to action.
On Sunday 17 November 2024, commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, joined an event organized by the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation and partners at the UN building in Bangkok. Together, we honoured road traffic victims and their families and reinforced WHO's commitment to road safety in Thailand.
According to the latest 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety, accelerated actions are urgently needed in Thailand, to achieve the reduction of injuries and deaths by the SDGs. Dr Jos highlighted the importance of both incentives and penalties for behavioural changes; “carrot and sticks”.
“We MUST introduce carrots (like subsidies, or tax breaks for helmets) to encourage people to behave properly in traffic. But we must also have the courage to bring out the sticks if needed. A stick like give people a fine when they drink and drive, or drive too fast, or drive without a helmet or seatbelt. Laws are not optional. Laws only work when they are enforced.” said Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand.
“We are here to commemorate people who were victims of road traffic accidents. The best way to do that is to change our traffic behaviour, as individuals, and to encourage people around us to do the same. Road Safety is a shared responsibility.”
