With the August long weekend fast approaching, Manitoba Public Insurance is encouraging all motorists to remember road safety – especially on Friday.
Nearly 40 percent of all holiday long weekend road deaths and injuries occur on the Friday, according to claims data collected by Manitoba’s public auto insurer. On average, one person is killed and close to 30 others are injured over a long-weekend holiday. Conversely, Sunday and Monday have the smallest proportion of victims per day, according to claims data collected between 2008-2013.
“The statistics confirm that road safety needs to be a priority as we head into this August long holiday weekend,” said Ward Keith, Vice-President, Business Development, Communications & Chief Product Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“On the Friday of the long weekend in particular, traffic volumes typically increase on roadways leading out of Winnipeg as people head to cottage country. Safety must be a priority,” said Keith.
Top Five Road Safety Tips:
- Don’t text and drive. It’s against the law and now attracts five demerits on the Driver Safety Rating scale. One in four fatal crashes in Manitoba are related to distracted driving.
- Alcohol and driving is a deadly mix. One in four fatal accidents in this province is alcohol related.
- Buckle up. People not using their seatbelts are 30 times more likely to be killed and five times more likely to be seriously injured in a collision than people using their seatbelt.
- Don’t speed. Speeding at-fault drivers are responsible for an average of 22 fatal and 400 injury crashes each year.
- Slow down in construction zones. Watch for signs as the speed limit will be lower in a construction zone. Follow directions. The flag person helps control the flow of traffic. Follow their directions, including slowing down or stopping.
