By 1808Delaware
Each November, the SAFE Delaware County Coalition holds a solemn remembrance ceremony to honor those who lost their lives due to motor vehicle crashes in Delaware County. This annual event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe driving, particularly during the busy holiday season when road traffic tends to increase.
Honoring the 2024 Victims
This year’s ceremony, set for Thursday, November 21, at 12:00 PM, will take place at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Delaware Post located at 1500 Columbus Pike in Delaware. For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be live-streamed on the SAFE Delaware Facebook page at facebook.com/safedelaware. The ceremony will honor the memory of 15 individuals who tragically lost their lives in traffic accidents in Delaware County in 2024.
A poignant display of wreaths, each bearing the name of a victim, will be presented during the ceremony. This tribute not only serves as a reminder of the lives lost but also emphasizes the importance of safe driving practices.
Jackie Bain, Coordinator of the SAFE Coalition, shared her thoughts on the event:
“The annual SAFE Remembers event serves to honor the lives lost and ensure they are never forgotten. It’s a reminder to all drivers that their actions on the road can have a profound impact. We possess the knowledge and resources to keep each other safe; we just need to put them into practice.”
Observing the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
As part of the broader commemoration, SAFE Delaware will also observe the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 17. This international event unites communities around the globe in demanding safer roads and raising awareness about the preventable nature of traffic-related injuries and deaths. On this day, the SAFE Coalition will amplify messages of traffic safety awareness and provide educational materials to help prevent further tragedies on the road. More information about this global event is available at wdorfss.org.
The World Day of Remembrance serves as a global call to action, emphasizing the devastating and often avoidable impact of roadway accidents. It seeks to promote better traffic safety measures, encourage responsible driving behavior, and ultimately reduce the number of lives lost each year.
The Role of the SAFE Delaware County Coalition
SAFE Delaware County Coalition, led by the Delaware Public Health District, is a countywide network that connects community partners and leaders. Its mission is to maximize resources and deliver injury prevention awareness with a specific focus on traffic and child safety. The coalition’s efforts are supported through a federal grant administered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO).
This funding is dedicated to projects like traffic safety education, which aim to promote awareness and encourage safer driving habits among Delaware County residents. These initiatives are crucial in reducing the number of crashes and fatalities, reinforcing the coalition’s commitment to a safer community.
Making Delaware’s Roads Safer
In 2024, Delaware County witnessed 15 traffic-related fatalities, each representing a life tragically cut short. The coalition remains committed to advocating for safer roads through community involvement, education, and awareness campaigns. The annual SAFE Remembers event not only memorializes those lost but also aims to foster a culture of road safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In addition to the remembrance event, SAFE Delaware continues its mission throughout the year with ongoing campaigns, including:
- Child Passenger Safety Awareness
- Teen Driver Safety Programs
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Initiatives
- Drunk Driving Prevention Efforts
Join the Movement
Members of the community, families of victims, coalition partners, and the media are invited to attend the November 21 ceremony and participate in spreading the message of traffic safety. As the holiday season approaches, SAFE Delaware encourages everyone to drive responsibly, stay attentive, and remember that every life on the road matters.
For more information about the coalition’s work and upcoming events, visit the SAFE Delaware Facebook page or contact the Delaware Public Health District.
Source: Delaware Public Health Departmentl Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
