Corporation funds police to target drivers who use hand held cell phones and text
Manitoba drivers are not putting down their handheld cell phones, according to a recent Manitoba Public Insurance survey. In efforts to reduce distracted-driving collisions, Manitoba Public Insurance announced today it is providing $120,000 in funding to police agencies ─ Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and Brandon Police Service ─ to conduct additional targeted, dedicated enforcement towards distracted drivers during the month of February.
“Manitoba Public Insurance’s objective is to help raise awareness that if drivers choose to drive while using a handheld device, there are consequences,” said Ted Hlynsky, Vice-President, Claims Control & Safety Operations, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“There’s a human and economic cost associated with distracted driving crashes,” said Hlynsky. “A person’s life can dramatically change forever due to driving while distracted. More than 90 per cent of respondents readily acknowledged it’s likely for a driver to get into a collision while driving and using their cellphone.
“Despite this knowledge, drivers continued to use their hand-held device. The distracted driver is a danger to all other motorists on the road. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a collision than a non-texting driver.”
Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act was amended in July 2010 to prohibit drivers from using any hand-operated electronic device (including cellphones) while driving. Drivers caught doing so by police will receive a ticket of $199.80. Manitoba law does allow for the use of hand-free devices.
“The RCMP is committed to the safety of Manitobans on our province’s roadways,” said Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson, Commanding Officer of RCMP “D” Division. “Through monitoring, education, and enforcement, we are working to reduce the number of collisions and deaths caused by distracted drivers.”
Research clearly states that using hand operated electronic devices and driving don’t mix,” said Winnipeg Police Service Chief Keith McCaskill, who noted nearly 5,000 Provincial Offence notices for illegally using a handheld electronic device while driving have been issued by his officers since July 15, 2010.
“Like drinking and driving, the illegal use of hand operated electronic devices while driving is dangerous, nor acceptable on any level,” said McCaskill.
“The Winnipeg Police will continue to work with our traffic safety partners to encourage safe and responsible driving habits and will aggressively enforce the illegal use of hand held electronic devices by individuals who are driving.”
Distracted drivers
“Many people reported using their cellphone at least once in the last 10 times they drove,” said Hlynsky. “They explained the purpose of their call was either work or speaking with a family member. A total of eight in 10 respondents acknowledged using a hand held cell phone is a serious problem.”
Distracted driving poll highlights:
• A total of 800 Manitobans participated in the poll.
• As age increases, so does apparent concern for drivers using a hand-held cell phone while driving. Younger adults are the least likely to rate this as a very serious problem compared to older adults.
• When asked to name a single greatest driving problem in Manitoba:
* 26% cited Speeding/ driving too fast for conditions
* 23% cited cell phone use while driving
* 21% – drinking and driving
* 17% – drivers not paying attention
“For safety sake, drivers should let their calls go to voice mail, and when it comes to texting and driving – it can wait,” said Hlynsky.
