Remembrance ceremonies planned across NC for road traffic victims

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed this coming Sunday, Nov. 15, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in North Carolina.

The proclamation recognizes an international day to remember people killed and seriously injured on our roads, acknowledge first responders and advocate for better driving habits.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for young people in the United States.

About 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes each year.

In recent years North Carolina lost an average of 1,675 people a year to crashes.

“We all bear responsibility to focus, drive carefully and keep each other safe,” Gov. Stein said in his proclamation.

The NC Alliance for Safe Transportation (NCAST), the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina Families for Safe Streets, the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University and others organize annual World Day of Remembrance events on or around the third Sunday of November, which this year is Nov. 15.

Representatives from the Wilmington Police Department will attend a remembrance ceremony at the Skyline Center on Sunday, November 15, at 12:30 p.m.

Aside from the Wilmington event, the NCAST will hold three events this year:

• Asheville: Sunday at 1 pm, HomeTrust Park – 30 Buchanan Place
• Lillington: Sunday at 12:30 pm, Crossroads Church – 1301 S. Main St.
• Greenville: Sunday at 2 pm, NC DMV / State Highway Patrol building, 4651 N Creek Dr.

At least two other events are planned by partner safety groups:

• Greensboro: Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 am, City Center Park, 200 N. Elm St.
• Winston Salem: Sunday at 2 pm, Forsyth County Central Library 660 W. 5th St.

All six events are open to the public.

That 2025 fatality total is North Carolina’s lowest in 5 years, according to figures compiled by the NC Division of Motor Vehicles. It’s 12% lower than the number of people North Carolina lost in 2024.

“We’re heartened by that drop,” NCAST Board Chair Tiffany Wright said. “But you look at all those empty shoes, and you think about the people, including children, lost to carelessness on our roads, and you have to conclude: We can and must do better. Slow down. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t look at your phone. And wear your seatbelt – more than 40% of people who died in crashes weren’t wearing one.”