The RCMP have announced a new initiative for western Manitoba that targets high-risk drivers whose behaviour behind the wheel has caused serious injuries or death.
While the RCMP continues to conduct targeted enforcement and education initiatives in conjunction with the provincial Road Safety Strategy 2015 in an effort to reducing serious motor vehicle crashes, no amount of education and enforcement can completely eliminate crashes.
In 2010, 87 people were killed and 312 people were seriously injured in crashes in Manitoba. In 2010 impaired driving was confirmed in 34% of fatal crashes and suspected in another 7%. Impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada.
The RCMP in Manitoba is taking a significant step in investigating serious motor vehicle collisions with the creation of Criminal Crash Investigation Teams (CCIT). Over the past few months 33 RCMP members from across western Manitoba have received specialized training in collision investigations, impaired driving investigations and various aspects of major crime investigations.
“There is no more fundamental role for a government than the protection of its citizens. I congratulate the RCMP’s Criminal Crash Investigation Team pilot in Manitoba on this innovative approach to serious motor vehicle crash investigations. This program will contribute to keeping Canadians safe while on the road,” said Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews.
“The RCMP in Manitoba is taking a proactive approach to investigating serious motor vehicle collisions with the creation of Criminal Crash Investigation Teams,” said Superintendent Glen Siegersma, Officer in Charge of RCMP “D” Division West District. “This one-year pilot project in western Manitoba aims to improve the chances of criminal charges being laid in serious collisions.”
As of November 1st, a team of specially-trained investigators will respond to all serious motor vehicle crashes where there’s a potential for criminal charges. Using a systematic team approach the CCIT will conduct the investigation in partnership with the local detachment. This investigational approach is modeled after other serious crime investigations, such as murder investigations. This will ensure a high quality investigation while at the same time keeping members of the local detachment free to respond to other calls for service.
When a serious crash occurs and the team is required, the closest available CCIT commander activates a team of three to five trained CCIT members from the surrounding area. As members are located throughout the West District, when activated CCIT is able to provide a timely response. Once at the collision location, the CCIT works in partnership with the local detachment members and the Collision Reconstructionist, much like homicide investigators would work with our forensics team.
With the help of the Criminal Crash Investigation Team, the RCMP aims to have more people held fully accountable for their actions behind the wheel.
Manitoba 2010 statistics:
• 78 fatal crashes resulting in 87 deaths
• 5,386 injury crashes resulting in 312 serious injuries and 6,731 other minor injuries
Contributing factors in 2010:
• Impaired driving contributed to 27% of fatalities (34% in RCMP jurisdiction) and 13% of serious injuries
• Careless driving contributed to 25% of fatalities and 11% of serious injuries
• Speed contributed to 26% of fatalities and 14% of serious injuries
• Driver inattention/distraction contributed to 13% of fatalities and 7% of serious injuries
• Failing to yield the right of way contributed to 7% of fatalities and 6% of serious injuries
• Slippery roads contributed to 7% of fatalities and 6% of serious injuries
• View obstructions/limitations contributed to 5% of fatalities and 2% of serious injuries
• Loss of control/driving off the road contributed to 18% of fatalities and 16% of serious injuries
Alcohol-related criminal code convictions:
• 2,116 alcohol-related Criminal Code convictions
• 1,348 convictions for driving with a BAC over 80 mg%
• 638 convictions for impaired driving
• 85 convictions for refusing to provide a breath or blood sample
• 40% of all trial time is for impaired driving offences
• 75-85% conviction rate for impaired driving related offences
