While the last several years brought a steady decrease in the numbers of fatal collisions and deaths on our roads, 2015 saw those numbers slightly increase.
In 2015, there were 70 fatal collisions on Manitoba roadways resulting in 79 deaths slightly more than 2014 with 69 fatal collisions resulting in 74 deaths.
Of the 70 fatal collisions in 2015:
- 63 were roadway crashes (59 in 2014)
- 7 were off-road vehicle crashes (9 in 2014)
- 6 of the fatal collisions involved pedestrians or cyclists, and
- 5 of the fatal collisions involved motorcycles
- The five-year average (2010-2014) for fatal collisions is 78.6 with 88 deaths
Location by RCMP Districts
- 32 fatal collisions took place in the eastern part of the province
- 30 fatal collisions in the western part of the province
- 8 fatal collisions in the northern part of the province
Geographical map of the Manitoba RCMP Districts
Contributing Factors
- In 46% of the collisions, speed or driving too fast for road conditions was cited as a contributing factor
- In 40% of the collisions, impairment by alcohol or drugs was involved (5% less than 2014)
- 7 cases of impairment involved drugs (2 in 2014)
- 40% of the deceased were not wearing seatbelts (down from 48 % in 2014)
- 4 fatal collisions involved a driver using a hand-held electronic device or cell phone while driving as a possible contributing factor
“This past year, our officers have come upon too many tragedies and deaths, caused by the actions of drivers that chose to drive recklessly or impaired,” Said Sgt. Bert Paquet of the Manitoba RCMP. “It is a continuing tragedy that so many Manitobans lose their lives on our roadways every year and that in so many cases these collisions are preventable. We ask that all Manitobans help us make our roads safer: take some extra time to get to your destination, be sober and alert, slow down, put away your cell phone and to buckle-up when driving. Do it for you and for the ones you love.”
