Important Events This Week & My Personal Mission for Safer Roads After Losing Two Loved Ones (World Day of Remembrance)
Day of Remembrance Sunday, November 17th:
Why We Fight for Safer Roads
As we approach the global Day of Remembrance, I want to share why safe roads are so personal to me and central to the mission of Save Not Pave. Tragically, I’ve lost two loved ones in preventable traffic accidents, and it’s a pain I hope to prevent for other families.
My sister-in-law Jocelyn was struck by a car while cycling in Colorado Springs. The driver, distracted by her phone, didn’t see Jocelyn and made a fatal turn. She was rushed to the hospital and, after suffering strokes following surgery, she didn’t make it. Jocelyn, a mother of five, was only 44. Her death was a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that many of us face on the roads.
My grandmother was also killed in a crosswalk while walking home from church in Alpine, Utah. A driver, distracted and in a hurry, didn’t see her. She was 95. Losing both Jocelyn and my grandmother has underscored the importance of creating roads that prioritize safety for all users, from pedestrians and cyclists to drivers.
This is why I fight for safer streets. Every life lost is a tragedy that could have been prevented with thoughtful road design and careful planning. If we don’t speak up, nothing will change. I’m committed to making Wasatch Blvd a safer, more accessible road for everyone, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting these efforts. Let’s ensure no one else has to experience this kind of loss.
Thank you for staying engaged with the issues that affect our community. Together, we can make a difference!
Micki Harris
Save Not Pave
savenotpave.org
Join Sweet Streets, Bike Utah, Spin and other community leaders on Sunday Nov. 17 for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. We’ll gather in the northeast corner of Liberty Park at 4 pm for an interactive sidewalk chalk memorial, brief remarks and a short walk to the site of a recent pedestrian fatality near 700 South and 700 East, where we’ll hold a candlelight vigil in honor of all the lives lost to traffic violence in Salt Lake City.
