Behind every traffic death is a person whose loss continues to be felt by family, friends and a community.
On Friday, Nov. 13, the North Dakota Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division and the Vision Zero initiative will host an observance in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol in Bismarck to honor those who have lost their lives in traffic crashes.
Attendees are invited to arrive beginning at 11:30 a.m. to view memorial displays and gather before the program commences at noon, according to the DOT release. This year’s gathering places a distinct emphasis on remembering who traffic victims were as individuals and the lives they lived.
The free public program features remarks from state DOT representatives and a victim’s family, followed by an invocation and a moment of silence for crash victims. Bailey Bernstein’s family will share Bailey’s story and highlight how her legacy continues through the Bailey Bernstein Foundation.
Families and friends attending the ceremony are invited to bring a photograph, a pair of shoes, or another meaningful item representing their loved one to place in a temporary memorial display. Flowers for the observance will be provided by Concrete Daisiez.
A new addition to this year’s program allows families to complete a memory card to share a specific memory or something meaningful about the person they are remembering. Families may choose to take these cards home or entrust them to Vision Zero.
Cards left with the state initiative will be displayed at future World Day of Remembrance events, ensuring that loved ones continue to be represented even when family members cannot attend in person. While the North Dakota observance takes place on Friday, Nov. 13, the official international World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed on the third Sunday of November, which falls on Sunday, Nov. 15, this year.
Those who have lost a loved one, traffic crash survivors, and anyone wishing to show support for affected families are encouraged to attend. Additional details about the Bismarck gathering are available through VisionZero.ND.gov.
