OTTAWA — November has long been a month of remembrance and this year will mark the first time a day has been set aside nationally for the memory of road crash victims.

Today, Nov. 19 has been designated as a National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada.

The National Day of Remembrance is being organized by the Canadian Global Road Safety Committee, whose membership is made up of injury prevention and road safety professionals, including the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA).

This is an opportunity to publicly remember the thousands of Canadian victims of traffic collisions and to acknowledge our collective responsibility in preventing serious injuries and deaths on our roads.

On average, eight Canadians are killed in road collisions every day. Impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada.

Many more are seriously injured or are indirectly affected by the death or injuries of loved ones. According to the CCMTA, most traffic-related deaths and injuries are preventable. The council is urging all drivers to drive at speeds appropriate for road conditions, wear seat belts, use properly-fitted child restraints, and avoid driving when fatigued or impaired.

To find out more about activities planned for the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, visit www.rememberroadcrashvictims.ca.