Buildings bathed in light to remember lives lost on West Yorkshire roads

20 November 2023

Victims of road deaths across West Yorkshire were remembered as buildings across the region were yesterday (19/11) lit up in yellow for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

West Yorkshire Police Headquarters in Wakefield, Wakefield Town Hall, St Georges Hall/ Alhambra in Bradford, Wainhouse Tower in Calderdale and buildings in Leeds were just some of the sites bathed in light, marking the beginning of Road Safety Week.

Road safety charity Brake is using the annual event to start conversations about speed, one of the fatal five elements contributing to deaths on our roads.

Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and chair of the Vision Zero Board, said:

“Speed costs lives, and this week is all about getting people to stop and think about the consequences of racing to get somewhere.

“We aspire to have zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2040 and if we work together, individually, and collectively, I don’t see why we can’t achieve that.

“Lighting these buildings up is a mark of respect to all those who have lost their lives and a call to action for all of us to change our behaviour when using our roads. I attended a remembrance service for victims yesterday and it brought home yet again how much devastation is wreaked by carelessness on our roads.”

The Vision Zero Board includes the five local authorities, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways, Brake, and independent members, who come together to deliver a safe and sustainable road environment.

Lucy Straker, Campaigns Manager at Brake added:

“Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to share important road safety messages, remember people affected by road death and injury, and raise funds to help Brake care for more road victims and campaign for safe roads for everyone.

“This year Brake is calling on everyone to join a national conversation about speed, to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive and inappropriate speed, and challenge why so many people still think it is acceptable to drive faster than the speed limit.

"Road Safety Week began on 19 November to coincide with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, for which people across the world lit/light candles in memory of those killed or seriously injured on roads.”

Brake worked with local councils in West Yorkshire and across the UK to get public buildings and other landmarks lit up in yellow, which is the universal colour for road victims.