More powerful than flowers attached to street poles. More powerful than the street signs drivers are used to. On World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Traffic Accidents, November 19 last year,

HeimatTBWA\ and StopAccidentes turned victims of traffic accidents into guardians of safety on Google Maps, alerting drivers to potential hazards.

The project, MemorialRoute, was inspired by real stories, leading with that of Julia Fernández. Julia represented the 961 victims of traffic accidents in 2023.

Initially, the Memorial Route project began as a step towards raising awareness about road safety and saving lives in Spain. It has now expanded, extending to every corner of the globe. People and NGOs from around the world now have the opportunity to use the Google Maps feature to help to keep their roads safe.

MemorialRoute takes a unique approach by using Google Maps’ Add Place feature – which is commonly used for businesses – in a new and innovative way. This approach helps to identify the exact locations of fatal accidents, commemorate each victim and become a proactive measure towards preventing future tragedies.

The initiative has already filled the Spanish map with markers, each representing a life, such as that of Natalia, Pablo, Javier, and Jordi, and telling a story that should not be forgotten through heartfelt messages from their loved ones.

MemorialRoute aims to break the cycle of tragedy by ensuring that the stories of victims are remembered and learned from.