Vision Zero Honors Road Traffic Victims in Bismarck

Families and community members gathered at the North Dakota state capitol on Friday to observe the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The event, organized by Vision Zero, served as a solemn tribute to those whose lives were ended by impaired and distracted driving. White carnations were laid upon empty chairs to represent the individuals lost to these preventable tragedies, showing attendees who was missing.

Among those honoring the fallen was the family of Bailey Jo Bernstein, a 20-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver while on a walk in 2023, KFYR reported. Her mother, Christy Bernstein, spoke at the capital about the enduring nature of grief and the void left by such sudden loss.

“It’s been three years, and the pain is still very real. Losing a child is something you never get over. You’ll learn to live with a loss that will always be a part of you,” Christy Bernstein said.

The ceremony allowed attendees to bring personal items—such as photographs or a pair of shoes—to honor the specific people they lost. Participants were also invited to write messages to the deceased, many of which focused on themes of kindness, infectious smiles, and love.

The gathering comes at a time when road safety advocates are pushing for increased awareness regarding the immediate consequences of driving decisions. The stakes of a single moment of inattention or impairment extend far beyond the driver, often impacting pedestrians and innocent bystanders.

Rachel Bitz, representing the Department of Transportation, emphasized the permanence of the damage caused by these incidents.

“All it takes is one split-second. And whether you’re leaving your loved ones behind, whether you’re taking a loved one from somebody else, it’s just very important that that split-second can change lives for forever,” Bitz said.

The Bernstein family has channeled their loss into advocacy through the Bailey Bernstein Foundation, established to honor Bailey’s reputation for having a “big heart.” As this coming Sunday would have marked Bailey Jo Bernstein’s 24th birthday, her mother requested that others pay the loss forward by performing an act of kindness in her honor.

While road safety discussions often focus on legislative changes or infrastructure improvements, the Bismarck event centered on the personal, emotional toll borne by families. The loss of a young life represents not just a statistical data point for transportation departments, but a permanent shift in the fabric of a community.

It would have been Bailey Jo Bernstein’s 24th birthday on Sunday.