Manitoba RCMP are reporting that nine people have died this past week on Manitoba roads and that officers are doing there best to not ever have this rate of fatalities repeated.
After a thorough review of road fatalities this year, police report that following statistics:
- In 50% of applicable fatal collisions, not wearing a seatbelt was listed as a contributing factor
- In 48% of applicable fatal collisions, speed was listed as a contributing factor
- In 39% of applicable fatal collisions, being impaired was listed as a contributing factor
- In 57% of applicable off road vehicle and motorcycle collisions, not wearing a helmet was listed as a contributing factor
(Note: in a fatal collision, multiple factors may be listed as contributing factors.)
RCMP say that everyone has a role to play and that Manitobans must wear their seatbelts, slow down and drive sober.
Manitoba RCMP also recognize that enforcement is a critical part to changing driving behaviour, this year, there has been more enforcement and more impaired drivers taken off our roads.
Criminal Code impaired drivers arrested and charged:
- 2015: 1183 (up to October 30)
- 2016: 1240 (up to October 30)
Provincial Traffic Offences (Speeding, seatbelts, cell phones, etc):
- 2015: 29,458 (up to October 30)
- 2016: 38,383 (up to October 30)
“Manitobans know they must wear a seatbelt, yet our officers are responding to people being ejected from their vehicles on a regular basis,” said Chief Superintendent Mark Fisher of the Manitoba RCMP. “Speeding and impaired drivers continue to kill people at an alarming rate. We must all make a change to our driving behaviour or I fear the tragic loss of life on our roads will continue. To ensure our message is heard, effective immediately, I have directed all RCMP officers across Manitoba to focus on road safety. Manitobans can expect to see a stronger approach to traffic enforcement. There is no excuse for what is happening.”
