Every year, the third Sunday in November marks the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims . This urgent issue, according to surveys, claims more lives of young people between the ages of 19 and 29 than diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, or homicide.
At Theramart, we are deeply committed to all those living with disabilities , wheelchair users, or those with limited mobility, as well as their families and caregivers.
That's why we didn't want to miss this opportunity to highlight the importance of prevention and raising awareness about safe, alcohol-free, and responsible driving.
Traffic Accidents: Disturbing Statistics for the Next 20 Years
Traffic accident victims aren't just those inside cars; they're also vulnerable people on public roads : pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation passengers, and people who have had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to the official World Road Safety Day website, it is estimated that 1.3 million people die each year in traffic accidents worldwide, and another 50 million are injured .
Among the most worrying statistics, projections indicate that without awareness and commitment to accident prevention, these figures will increase by 65% over the next 20 years.
While many people have been fatal victims, there are also those who have been left with injuries and lasting consequences after being hit by cars or having been directly or indirectly involved in a traffic accident. And today they can share their stories to raise awareness.
Paula Miranda: True testimony of a traffic accident survivor
Paula Miranda is a young Chilean woman who, after a car accident in which she was traveling with her friends, became a quadriplegic . Almost a decade after the incident, she has been able to rebuild herself and move forward with her life, despite the pain.
Paula's words reached us through a telephone interview, and they were blunt and very raw. "The first thing I asked myself was, why me and not the other people traveling with me ?" "Why was it so serious for me and the others were unharmed?"
She also mentions moments after her diagnosis, when she kept wondering how she would manage to live without the use of her hands or legs . She remembers feeling like she could be a burden to those around her . This is why Paula believes that the families of people with disabilities suffer as much as the person with a disability themselves.
Paula is now married, an athlete, a speaker, and the director of one of Chile's first inclusive modeling agencies. She is a living and inspiring testament to the long journey it takes to rebuild and reassemble oneself as a person after losing everything in a few seconds. You can read her full story by clicking here .
How to prevent traffic accidents?
If traffic laws and speed limits are not respected, or alcohol or drugs are consumed while driving , a car can become a deadly weapon , ruining the lives of people and families forever.
We tend to think that statistics could never affect us , that the numbers of victims happen in other countries, to other people, and that they are something very far from us. But a single second of distraction is enough to change everything.
Put on the brakes. Do it for yourself, for others, for those you love most. Do it for life .
Want to hear more life stories? We'll tell you about Valentina Castaño and her struggle with an invisible orphan disease.
