Impaired driving accounted for close to half of the deaths on Manitoba roadways last year, according to Manitoba Public Insurance.

In total, 71 people were killed in auto-related crashes in 2018, with 42 per cent of those deaths attributed to impaired (alcohol or drugs) driving. Speed was a contributing factor in 17 per cent of 2018 deaths, while 28 per cent of deaths were due to occupants in the vehicle not wearing a seatbelt.

“Families, friends, acquaintances and work colleagues are all affected by these deaths,” said Satvir Jatana, vice-president responsible for Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Our goal remains to Save The 100 on our roadways. But everyone needs to do their part. High-risk driving behaviours are dangerous to everyone on the roads. We’re putting out the call to make 2019 one of the safest years on our roads. Our Corporation remains committed to reducing injuries and deaths on our roads. This can be accomplished by public awareness, education, partnerships with law enforcement agencies and drivers changing their behaviours.”

The 2018 data is still being analyzed, consequently, distracted driving is not yet listed as a contributing factor. That information will be released later this year, explained Jatana.

Data of note:

  • In 2018, there were 66 fatal crashes. This count is 16 per cent lower than the average crash count for the previous 10-years (79 in 2008-2017).
  • In 2018, there were 71 people killed. This count is 19 per cent below the previous 10-year average (88 people killed on average each year from 2008-2017).
  • In the first three months of 2018, the number of people killed (18) was 38 per cent higher than the average over the previous 10 years (13 average from 2008 to 2017). This increase was offset by the last six months of 2018 with the number of people killed being 23 per cent lower than the average in the third quarter and 48 per cent lower in the last quarter.

Manitoba Public Insurance’s fatality counts will differ slightly from police agencies, explained Jatana. “Our defining parameters capture deaths on public roadways only,” she said. “The public roadway count also does not include deaths related to all-terrain vehicles.”