In Reykjavík, the main commemorative ceremony will take place, as in previous years, by the helipad at Landspítali University Hospital in Fossvogur at 2:00 p.m. President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir and Minister of Infrastructure Eyjólfur Ármannsson will give brief addresses. This will be followed by a personal account from a man who, as a young driver, caused a fatal road traffic accident.

The programme reflects this year’s focus on young people in traffic, including the dangers of speeding. Speeding is one of the leading causes of serious and fatal road traffic accidents, particularly among young people.

The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, Landsbjörg, together with local emergency responders, will organise commemorative events across the country. This year, youth divisions of search and rescue teams will play a key role in the ceremonies.

As in previous years, the theme song for the Day of Remembrance is KK’s I Think of Angels, performed by KK and Ellen. The song was written in memory of their sister, who died in a road traffic accident in the United States in 1992. It will be played simultaneously by radio stations across Iceland at 2:00 p.m. on the Day of Remembrance. Students from the MH choir will also perform the song at the ceremony in Fossvogur.

The purpose of the day is to remember those who have lost their lives in road traffic accidents and to draw attention to the responsibility we all share as road users. The Day of Remembrance also provides an opportunity to thank the professionals and volunteers involved in rescue and emergency care for their important and selfless work.

The Day of Remembrance is observed internationally under the auspices of the United Nations, which has designated the third Sunday in November for this purpose. Since Iceland’s first recorded road traffic fatality on 25 August 1915, a total of 1,642 people have lost their lives in road traffic accidents in Iceland, as of 15 October 2026. Many more have been seriously injured or have had to cope with trauma, grief and regret as a result.

The Day of Remembrance in Iceland is organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Icelandic Transport Authority, the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, the 112 Emergency Line, the Icelandic Police, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, and ÖBÍ, the Icelandic Disability Alliance. Representatives of various emergency response organisations will also take part in the commemorative ceremony.

This year marks the 16th time that the Day of Remembrance has been observed in Iceland.

More information is available at minningardagur.is.