Ashburton will commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for the third time

Ashburton will be commemorating its third World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on the 19^th of November.  White crosses representing the people who have been killed and seriously injured over the past year in the Ashburton District will be displayed in front of the Clock Tower on Monday the 19^th.  There will also be a short ceremony to acknowledge the Remembrance Day at 9.30am by the clock Tower.  The Ashburton District Road Safety Coordinator is inviting anyone who has been affected by a road crash to come along and say a few words at the ceremony.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims originated in 1993 by RoadPeace, the UK charity for road traffic victims, as a response to road crash victims’ need for the same public recognition that is given to victims of other types of crime, disaster or war.

It is also a day to commend the work of those involved in the aftermath of a crash – including fire, police and ambulance teams, doctors, nurses and counsellors. An annual day of remembrance brings to attention the devastating impact of road deaths and injuries.

Almost 4,000 people are killed and many hundreds of thousands injured on roads throughout the world every day.  It is a sad fact that many New Zealanders are dying on our roads each year.  In the past 12 months there have been 241 deaths in New Zealand with 27 in Canterbury and 4 in Ashburton. (To date 30 October 2012)

Road Safety Awareness ribbons will also be handed out at the ceremony as a tribute to those who we have been lost.  These will also be available from Council reception.  If you would like to speak at the ceremony, please contact Rachael Chapman, Road Safety Coordinator at the details below.

Rachael Chapman
Road Safety Coordinator
Ashburton District Council
Rachaelc@adc.govt.nz 
DDI:  03 307 7784