Join Us for the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Traffic Violence

Sunday, November 15, 2026

11:30 AM – 12 PM Press Conference

At the corner of Driving Park and Lake Avenue Rain Location: Maplewood Park Gazebo adjacent to the parking lot

12 PM – 1 PM Program & Community Conversation

Maplewood Family YMCA Community Room, 25 Driving Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14613

No RSVP Required 

Together we will remember those we have lost, support victims and their families, and discuss ways to act to improve road safety.

Getting there: Bike parking available at YMCA front door. Car parking available in the YMCA lot and Maplewood Park lot. RTS Bus Route 22 stop 1991 (Lake & opp Selye) and stop 1990 (Lake and Driving Park).

The World Day of Remembrance is an international effort to remember, support and act to prevent car crashes, injuries and fatalities. Every year, millions more road victims are added to the current toll of over 50 million killed and hundreds of millions injured since the first road death. As roadway deaths remain at crisis levels, with 40,990 lives lost in U.S. traffic crashes in 2023 and more than 2.7 million people sent to emergency rooms, WDoR offers a powerful chance to raise public awareness and demand real solutions. The U.S. continues to have the highest rate of traffic deaths among 27 high-income countries, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change and a reminder that safer streets are possible.

Invest in Safety, Not Speed 

In 2026 we are asking to invest in safety, not speed, with a focus on Lake Avenue.

Advocacy Ask: 

Lake Avenue is the most dangerous roadway in NYS, regardless of how you’re using it. We must treat Lake Avenue as a public safety emergency.  We are calling on the New York State DOT and the City of Rochester to invest in safety on Lake Avenue, not speed. 

They can immediately:

  • Reduce the speed limit on Lake Ave to 25 MPH as an emergency measure to slow cars
  • Implement quick-build traffic calming on Lake Avenue, especially where pedestrians cross
  • Implement leading pedestrian intervals, automatic walk signs, and No-Right-Turn-on-Red Lights at all signalized intersections on Lake Avenue
  • Move forward on the automated enforcement pilot in Rochester ASAP to prioritize accountability for reckless drivers speeding and running red lights on Lake Avenue

In the medium term: 

  • Fund a major project to redesign and reconstruct Lake Avenue in the next New York State DOT capital plan that includes: 
    • A car lane reduction to slow speeds and prevent crashes while maintaining throughput, raised crosswalks, a dedicated bus lane, protected bike lanes, well-maintained sidewalks, all of which are shown to increase safety.

Questions? info@reconnectrochester.org or (585) 340-7555