Posted on 07/31/2013, 12:39 pm, by mySteinbach

Nearly 40 percent of all holiday long weekend road deaths and injuries occur on the Friday, according to Manitoba Public Insurance.

On average, one person is killed and more than 30 others are injured on the Friday leading into a three-day holiday weekend. Sunday and Monday have the smallest proportion of victims per day, according to claims data collected between 2007-2011.

“All motorists can play in key role in making this a road safe Civic Holiday weekend,” says MaryAnn Kempe, vice-president, Community and Corporate Relations, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“It’s very easy to remember the ABC’s of road safety. All drivers are encouraged to follow these road safety reminders.”

ABC’s Road Safety Tips:

  • A: Alcohol and driving is a deadly mix. One in three fatal accidents in this province is alcohol related.
  • B: Buckle up. Your chances of being injured or killed in a collision are reduced by more than 50 per cent when you use your seatbelt.
  • C: Cellphones. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver.
  • D: Demerits. You’ll be given two demerits if you’re ticketed for texting/talking on your cellphone while driving.
  • E: Excessive speed. Speeding at-fault drivers are responsible for an average of 22 fatal and 430 injury crashes each year.