With less than two months remaining in 2011, Manitoba has more traffic fatalities than all of last year, reinforcing the need for Manitobans to think about road safety on the National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims on Wednesday, November 23.
As of mid-November, more than 100 deaths have occurred on Manitoba roadways – significantly more than last year’s total of 87, said Ted Hlynsky, vice-president Claims Control and Safety Operations with Manitoba Public Insurance.
“The number of fatalities on our roadways reinforces our commitment to road safety, and that of our road safety partners,” said Hlynsky. “Remembering the victims is a positive step forward towards reducing road deaths in the future. Road safety isn’t exclusive for one group…it’s for everyone to think about and put into practice.”
Manitoba Public Insurance is committed to encouraging safe driving behavior and is an active member of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), which is spearheading the fourth-annual National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims.
“Many of these tragedies are directly attributed to driver behavior. Drinking and driving. Speeding. Not using a seatbelt. This is driver behavior which can easily change,” said Hlynsky. “It’s important for motorists to take responsibility for their safety.”
Keeping Manitoba roadways safe involves education, awareness and enforcement, said Hlynsky, noting that Manitoba Public Insurance partners with police agencies throughout the province in road safety initiatives.
“Manitoba road safety is a shared responsibility and loss of life on our roads affects us all,” said Inspector Joanne Keeping, Officer in charge of Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services. “These are lives of our family members, friends and co-workers. We would like everyone to take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives on Manitoba’s roadways.”
It’s estimated that about 25 per cent of all fatal crashes in Manitoba are attributed to speeding.
“It’s better to slow down and lose one minute in life…than to lose life in a minute,” said Brandon Police Service Chief Keith Atkinson.
The onus for safe driving rests with the operator of the vehicle, explained Staff Sgt. Mark Hodgson, Central Traffic Unit, Winnipeg Police Service (WPS).
“Every motorist has a responsibility to ensure that they travel safely around the city,” said Hodgson.
“The WPS is committed to improving road safety by targeting drivers who speed and drive aggressively,” he said. “Increased impaired driving enforcement through additional dedicated Checkstop projects and specialized training in the area of drug-impaired driving has also enhanced WPS’s mandate to keep the roads safe for all.”
The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada is a day set aside to remember those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads, often in avoidable collisions, and those left to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of people they love.
The good news is that motorists can save lives. Last year, one life was saved every day in Canada because of increased enforcement, introducing new, tougher laws, manufacturers building safer vehicles and successfully changing road user behaviours.
