You may have noticed white, human-shaped silhouettes throughout Seattle.
Over 234 of these memorials were installed on November 20, 2016 to commemorate World Day of Remembrance, a day that honors and remembers the victims of fatal traffic collisions. That’s right – 234 people were killed in the last decade in Seattle alone (as of November). The map below shows the number, as well as locations of these tragic deaths over the last 10 years in Seattle.
These victims were cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and passengers, but more importantly, they were parents, siblings, grandparents, humans. They were on their way somewhere when suddenly, without warning, something preventable happened to them, often as the result of someone else’s careless choice. Make no mistake – these are NOT “accidents.” Accidents are not preventable; traffic collisions are.
You may still see them around the city. We must remember that they are so much more than cardboard cutouts – they are a beautiful ode to the memory of that individual. Next time you spot one on the side of the road, take a moment to reflect on the meaning – that another human lost their life in that spot; and what actions can you and your community take to help prevent further pointless losses in our city.
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways coordinated the posting of the silhouettes along with 20 community groups. Event co-sponsors include Vision Zero Seattle, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Washington Bike Law.
This year, World Day of Remembrance is November 19th.
We suggest discussing the following with other drivers/cyclists/pedestrians in your family:
As a driver:
- Make sure you are fit to be behind the wheel:
- Awake
- Sober
- Not distracted
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Do NOT use your phone
- Scan your area constantly for potential hazards
- Be aware of one-way roads
- Follow traffic laws and drive defensively
8 Quick Bicycle Safety Tips for Motorists
As a passenger:
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Do not distract the driver
- Keep an eye out and alert your driver to any hazards you notice
- Take over reading directions, changing the music, and using the phone from your driver
As a cyclist:
- Make sure your helmet is secure
- Wear bright, reflective clothing
- Use lights on both the front and back of the bike
- Learn and utilize the proper hand signals to alert nearby drivers where you are going
- Do not ride with headphones in!
Bicycle Safety Tips for Cyclists
As a pedestrian:
- Always look both ways and make sure traffic is fully stopped before crossing intersection, even if the walk signal is on
- If using headphones, make sure you can hear traffic over the music
