World Day of Remembrance: Honoring Lives Lost on Our Roads

Traffic deaths are declining, but too many lives are still being lost on our roads.

According to the World Health Organization, the global road traffic death rate declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025. Despite this progress, 1.16 million people lost their lives in road crashes worldwide in 2025. In the United States, preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council show traffic deaths decreased 2% during the first half of 2026, yet an estimated 18,460 people were still killed.

These declines are encouraging, but every life lost represents a family forever changed.

On Nov. 15, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims honors those killed and injured in traffic crashes and recognizes the lasting impact on their families and communities. This year, Verra Mobility and the National Coalition for Safer Roads are sharing the stories of two individuals whose lives were forever changed by traffic tragedies.

Remembering the Lives Behind the Numbers

Jefohn Jefferson was just 5 years old when his father was killed by a reckless driver. His father’s death changed the course of his childhood and deeply affected his family.

Jefohn remembers his father as a kind and generous person who was always willing to help others. He also remembers the challenges of growing up without a father figure and the impact his father’s absence had on those around him.

Today, Jefohn shares his experience to encourage others to recognize the consequences their decisions behind the wheel can have on entire families.

Jody Cukier lost her 13-year-old daughter, Julia Cukier Siegler, in 2010, when Julia was killed while crossing the street to board her school bus in Los Angeles.

A talented dancer and artist, Julia was known for her kindness, creativity, and the joy she brought to others. Her death left a lasting impact on her family, friends, and community.

Jody continues to honor Julia’s memory through art, remembrance, and road safety advocacy. She reflects not only on the loss of her daughter, but also on the experiences Julia never had the opportunity to enjoy and the contributions she could have continued to make to the world.

Honoring Their Memories Through Action

Stories like Jefohn’s and Jody’s remind us that the consequences of a traffic crash extend far beyond the moment it occurs. Families carry these losses for a lifetime, often turning their grief into efforts to protect others from experiencing similar tragedies.

While declining traffic fatalities represent meaningful progress, there is still more work to do. Safer driving behaviors, public education, and continued investments in road safety all play important roles in preventing future losses.

As Jody shared, “It shouldn’t need to happen to you to make you care about it.”

This World Day of Remembrance, we honor those whose lives have been lost, recognize the families who continue to carry their memories, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to make roads safer.

Every life lost is one too many.