Young Manitoba drivers are involved in more fatal and injury collisions than any other age group, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data.
Manitobans aged 16-24 accounted for 25 per cent of drivers in fatal crashes and 22 per cent of drivers in injury collisions in 2010. In comparison, drivers aged 55-64 accounted for six per cent of the drivers in fatal collisions – the lowest of all age groupings.
“Crashes that should not have happened do, in fact, happen when people make poor choices,” said Attorney General Andrew Swan, Minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance.
“When motorists don’t consider the consequences of their actions, the result is often tragic, leaving family and friends to deal with the sudden and unexpected death of a person they loved.”
Victims aged 15-24 make up the largest proportion of traffic collision casualties, more than any other age group. In 2010, this age group accounted for 29 per cent of people killed as the result of an automobile crash and 25 per cent of people injured.
“Many young drivers have a false sense of invincibility and don’t fully realize the consequences of high-risk driving behaviour,” said Ward Keith, executive director, Driver Safety and Regulatory Control, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“Peer pressure is often a contributing factor to a young driver’s high-risk behaviour. As a road safety leader in the province, Manitoba Public Insurance will continue to educate and raise awareness among young people about high-risk behaviours.”
Manitoba Public Insurance and its police agency partners held a media event today at Winnipeg’s Fort Richmond Collegiate in honour of the fifth annual National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims – an event spearheaded by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.
The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada – November 21 – is a day set aside to remember those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads.
“Every motorist has a responsibility to ensure that they travel safely around the city,” said Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel, Winnipeg Police Service.
“The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to improving road safety by targeting drivers who speed, drive aggressively or drive after consuming alcohol. Everyone should feel safe when travelling our streets.”
Nearly 400 students from Fort Richmond listened to a powerful presentation from Austin Whitley, whose life was dramatically changed after he crashed his vehicle. Whitley is a keynote speaker in this year’s Manitoba Public Insurance ‘Friends for Life’ speaker series, which will tour nearly 50 high schools across the province.
“Operating a motor vehicle is a major responsibility, one that is sometimes not fully realized by young drivers who have limited driving experience,” said Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, Commanding Officer of the RCMP “D” Division.
“It is important for all drivers to refrain from high-risk driving practices. We all need to do our part to keep our roadways safe.”
