By Lee Lam Thye, Chairman, Alliance for a Safe Community
KOTA KINABALU: Today, as we mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we remember and honour the lives lost and those injured in road crashes – tragedies that leave deep scars on families and communities.
Every life lost on the road is one too many. Behind each statistic is a loved one – a parent, a child, a friend – whose absence can never be replaced.
Every year, millions more people become victims of road crashes, making it a serious public health issue.
It disproportionately affects the younger generation, with a higher percentage of fatal crashes involving teens and young adults, while survivors also lose their futures due to the impact of their injuries.
This year’s theme “Lost Talents’, reflects on how when people are killed or severely injured in tragic road crashes, their families and communities don’t just lose an individual – but their potential, their ideas, and their future impact on society.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims (WDoR) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year, since it began in 1993.
This day is also a solemn reminder that road crashes are not accidents; they are preventable.
They are the result of human error, poor enforcement, unsafe road designs, and lack of responsibility among some road users.
It is therefore our moral and civic duty to work collectively to end this preventable loss of life.
Key statistics:
• Approximately 1.19 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. (WHO, 2023)
• Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5 – 29 years. (WHO, 2023)
• More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. (WHO, 2023)
• A total of around 600,000 road crashes were recorded throughout 2023, resulting in 6,443 lives lost in Malaysia, averaging 18 deaths every day. (Ministry of Transport, Malaysia, 2023)
• Speeding is a key factor behind 80% of fatal road crashes in Malaysia. (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, 2025)
Malaysia must now take a bold step towards embracing the Vision Zero philosophy – the belief that no death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable. Achieving Vision Zero requires a shift in mindset, where safety becomes the foundation of every decision – from road design and vehicle safety standards to education, enforcement, and behaviour on the road.
The government, enforcement agencies, road safety experts, the private sector, and the civil society must work hand in hand to strengthen road safety policies, improve driver education, enforce traffic laws consistently, and promote a culture of respect and care among all road users.
On this day of remembrance, let us not only mourn those we have lost but also renew our commitment to prevent future tragedies. Let us pledge to make our roads safe for everyone – pedestrians, motorcyclists, passengers, and drivers alike – and more steadfastly towards Vision Zero : zero deaths, zero excuses.
