Governor Murphy today signed a bill designating the third Sunday of every November as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a day already honored throughout other parts of the globe.

It comes as new Jersey this year saw pedestrian deaths rise nearly 40%, putting the state among the top 20 for pedestrian fatalities.

And while a number of towns and counties have their own Vision Zero campaigns to reduce traffic deaths, activists are calling on the legislature to pass a bill to make a statewide plan.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis has the story.

We will keep sharing our stories and fighting for change so that no one else has to endure our pain.

At yesterday's World Day of Remembrance for traffic victims, stories of pain were at the forefront.

This group of advocates with the families for Safe Streets, new Jersey, were brought together through their loss of loved ones caused by accidents on New Jersey's roads.

My sweet 11 year old son, Nicole, was killed in a car crash in 2011.

Our lives have never been the same.

It's as if time is divided into when Nicole was here and after Nicole.

I was for the last time with my happy family, for my husband and my two little girls that were five and six.

And by later, at 3:19 p.m. that afternoon, I found out that both my husband and my five year old daughter were killed in a car crash caused by a drunk driver.

My soul mate.

My best friend.

My Oscar, was killed.

He would never walk through that door again, confirming that our wonderful, amazing, beautiful life together was no more.

My brother's death decimated my family, left an enormous struggle for his surviving spouse and children, robbed the world of his innovations and care, took away my parent's sense of security and justice, and was utterly preventable.

The speaker shared the impact of their loss on themselves and their families, but they also want their loss put into context of all the lives lost in this state.

According to the new Jersey State Police, roadway death took the lives of 614 people in 2022, 518 in 2023 and 598 people so far this year.

Plus, there was a nearly 70% surge in bicyclist deaths in 2023 and about a 30% increase in pedestrian deaths this year.

We had Johnny Hockey actually killed here in new Jersey, and the brothers were killed, and it was kind of national news, right?

And we all said, hey, this is terrible.

And then what's happened since then?

Nothing.

Today, Governor Phil Murphy did sign a joint resolution designating the third Sunday of every November as World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims in new Jersey.

But this group want much more.

Our call to action is for the Senate to pass Bill S361, establishing the new Jersey target zero Commission, which will create a strategic statewide plan to eliminate traffic jams by 2040.

This bill, with authorized establishment of a 13 member multi-agency commission dedicated to examining every facet of traffic safety, focusing on access equity, mobility for all road users.

The bill recognizes the significance of road design to achieve zero fatality.

It incorporates measures to ensure effectiveness and accountability, such as the creation of an action plan that is based on proven safety countermeasures.

It is imperative that we pass Bill S361.

It's imperative it's going to save lives.

Senator Pat Diamond and Assemblyman Rob carabiner are the respective sponsors of the Senate and Assembly versions of the bill.

They attended yesterday's Day of Remembrance to reassure these advocates of their commitment to it.

This is our top priority.

I know you hear this before, but we will get it done.

I spoken to the Senate President.

It should be heard, on the budget Committee in December, and hopefully we'll get it passed before the end of the year or early next year.

The advocates acknowledge it will take time and money to implement the changes outlined in the target Zero plan, but say every life saved is worth it.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Joanna Gagis.