November 23 might just seem like any other day to you. You'll have classes to attend, texts to write, plans to keep. But this year, Transport Canada and the Arrive Alive organization are asking that you take some time to remember those who have been killed in car accidents.

There are numerous programs out there to raise awareness about safe driving in the hopes of making the roads safer for every driver. The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims aims for something different: to remember the lives that have already been lost to fatal accidents.

The idea of a National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims dates back to 1993 and a British charity called RoadPeace. The day grew so popular that in 2005 the UN made it official, and now each year, the Wednesday following the third Sunday in November will be marked as the official day of remembrance.

According to Transport Canada, close to 2,200 people are killed in car accidents each year and an additional 173,000 are injured. That number jumps to 1.2 million killed worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.

Anne Leonard, Executive Director of the Arrive Alive program, and Kim Benjamin, Director of Road Safety Programs for Transport Canada, have initiated not only a day of remembrance but an aggressive awareness campaign to make all those who are learning to drive much more aware of the number of fatal car accidents.

"By educating students early on in their driving experience about road safety, this will result in more disciplined drivers," Leonard and Benjamin said about their hopes for the program. Along with a new curriculum for the driving schools in Canada, there is a short but powerful training and awareness video that brings the dangers of car accidents to the forefront of drivers' minds.

According to the official website run by Transport Canada in 2010, "One life was saved every day because Canada is increasing enforcement, introducing new policies, building safer vehicles, changing road behaviours and building better roads."

The website stresses that "road safety is a shared responsibility and each of us can take action to make our roads safer," and holds fast to the idea that safer drivers coupled with an annual day marking those who have been killed will help to make Canada's roads safer for everyone.

So this year on November 23, take some time out of your day to reflect on those who have lost their lives in car accidents. Even if you don't know someone who has been injured or killed in an accident, this day of remembrance is important for everyone.

For more information visit, rememberroadcrashvictims.ca.