World Day for Road Traffic Victims Commemorated Today with the Theme “Let’s Remember, Let’s Act"
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(T/M/B, November 30/2018 A.D.):- Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority commemorated the 20th World Day for Road Traffic Victims in our country for the 18th time with the theme “Let’s Remember, Let’s Act, Let’s Change” by holding a walk, lighting candles, visiting victims, providing financial support, and holding a panel discussion.The purpose of the day of remembrance and the opening of the panel discussion were explained by Ato Kbebew Mideksa, Director General of Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority.
According to Ato Kbebew, 1.5 million people die in traffic accidents worldwide, 30 to 40 million lose their lives; the highest number of these deaths occur in Africa, especially Sub-Saharan countries.
The Director General said that both our country and our city are victims of this terrible disaster. We can prevent road traffic accidents caused by human error and man-made causes.
The Director General added that road traffic accidents can be prevented and stopped by supporting all road actors.
We must turn the promises made by the parties involved in this program into action, and the Director General instructed religious leaders, media outlets, and artists to work to raise awareness about road traffic accidents.
According to Professor Brook Lambiso, an orthopedic specialist at Black Lion Hospital, in Ethiopia, where there are 130 million people, more than 5,000 of our citizens die every year in 2 million cars; this should shame and embarrass us, saying that the main cause of this disaster is the lack of compliance with traffic laws and the lack of ethics of drivers.
Therefore, since it is a solvable challenge, stakeholders, especially religious leaders and artists, should play a major role in understanding and educating the public about the seriousness of the accident, Professor Brooke said.
Then, invited scholars from Abet Hospital, W.I.R. and Addis Ababa University presented research papers for a panel discussion on road safety.
The participants of the discussion said that all segments of society and government bodies should fulfill their responsibilities and roles and create a city free from traffic accidents.
The program of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which was celebrated for the 20th time globally and the 18th time nationally, was launched by senior leaders and experts of the authority, stakeholders, traffic police members, civil associations, motorcycle associations, religious leaders, artists, journalists, The traffic coordinator, accompanied by the Addis Ababa Police Marching Band, walked from Adwa Zero Zero to Black Lion Hospital, where youth and victims were present, and supported traffic accident victims who were being treated at the hospital.
