'World Day of Remembrance' remembers thousands killed in traffic crashes in Massachusetts

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Nov 16, 2025

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Families, friends and advocates remembered those who have been lost to traffic crashes on the steps of the State House early Sunday, part of events across the state marking the “World Day of Remembrance.”

“2,130 people killed or seriously injured per year is unacceptable,” stated the Massachusetts Families for Safe Streets, an organizer of the State House rally Sunday. “Even one death is too many. We can no longer make incremental progress.”

The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition, an advocacy group dedicated to traffic safety, organizes the annual day of remembrance to “reflect upon those we’ve lost and commit ourselves to improving our roads.” Advocates held events throughout the week leading up and across the state Sunday, including Cambridge, Worcester, Taunton and more.

Organizers held a “Walk for Life” in Boston on Sunday morning, leading up to the State House rally with friends and family members of people who’ve been killed or hurt in traffic accidents.

In 2025, there have been over 2,165 serious traffic crashes in the state, according to the Massachusetts Families for Safe Streets. The group said they’ve place over 300 yellow flags in remembrance of those killed in accidents already this year.

“In 2025 so far, over 2,000 lives have been lost to, or seriously injured by, a traffic crash in Massachusetts — not including the countless friends, family, and loved ones impacted as well,” said the Vision Zero Coalition.

Rallygoers remembered those killed at Sunday’s rally, holding signs with their faces and names, speaking about their loss and placing yellow flowers to mark each person they’d lost.

Attendees also advocated for legislation aimed to make Massachusetts streets safer, including the currently proposed S.2344 or H.3754, which would allow the use of cameras to enforce traffic violations like stopping at red lights or speeding, and S.2343 or H.3653, which would add safety requirements for large trucks.

MassBike stated the bills aim to make it easier for state and local authorities to “protect all of us from traffic crashes.”

“Every year, the World Day of Remembrance serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and forever altered by traffic crashes,” the organization MassBike wrote, encouraging people across the state to host their own events, talk to legislators and get involved. … “Please join us in honoring their memories by advocating for safer streets for everyone.”

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