SJR14

Sponsored by:

Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

District 18 (Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Holzapfel, Pou and Space

SYNOPSIS

Designates November 20th of each year as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Joint Resolution designating November 20th of each year as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Fatalities resulted from 667 traffic incidents in New Jersey during 2021; and

Whereas, New Jersey traffic incidents resulted in 697 fatalities during 2021, the highest number in 14 years; and

Whereas, Many more New Jersey residents are injured or disabled by traffic accidents annually; and

Whereas, Traffic incidents cause death, injury, disability, or grief for many New Jersey residents each year; and

Whereas, Emergency response and medical professionals provide services which save lives and minimize injury after traffic incidents; and

Whereas, Emergency responders face a heightened risk of post-traumatic stress, depression, and suicidal ideation due to regularly managing scenes of significant injury or death; and

Whereas, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an occasion to acknowledge the suffering of victims, families, and communities due to traffic incidents; and

Whereas, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an opportunity to spread awareness of the devastation and the preventability of many traffic incidents; and

Whereas, Many governments and organizations recognize World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims as an opportunity to educate the public on crash prevention; and

Whereas, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a chance to pay tribute to the emergency response and medical professionals who assist in the traumatic aftermath of traffic incidents; and

Whereas, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims originated in 1995, with European observance quickly spreading to non-governmental organizations in Africa, South America, and Asia; and

Whereas, The United Nations recognizes World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on the third Sunday of every November; and

Whereas, The United States Department of Transportation recognizes World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper that this State designate November 20th of each year as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” in New Jersey; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. November 20th of each year is designated as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in New Jersey.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November 20th as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” in New Jersey and calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe this day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution recognizes November 20th of each year as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” in New Jersey. World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastation wrought by traffic accidents and educate residents about crash prevention. This is also an occasion to honor the emergency response and medical professionals who assist in the aftermath of traffic incidents.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims originated in Europe during 1995 and is now recognized around the world. The United States Department of Transportation has acknowledged World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The United Nations designates the third Sunday of each November as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Traffic incidents in New Jersey resulted in 697 fatalities during 2021, the highest rate in 14 years. Designating November 20th as “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” acknowledges the significant impact of traffic incidents on New Jersey families and communities and recognizes the value of crash prevention to this State.