December a dangerous month for Manitoba drivers
Winter driving is a fact of life for most Canadians, but it can be deadly. According to collision data released by Manitoba Public Insurance, winter months are the most dangerous months for drivers in the province. January is the worst month for collisions, with an average of 870 collision victims. December is second with an average count of 733 collision victims ─ which includes nine people killed.
The police-reported collision data was collected over a five-year period (2005-09), explained Ted Hlynsky, Vice-President, Claims Control & Safety Operations, Manitoba Public Insurance. Over the last three years a total of 25 people have been killed in December on Manitoba roadways.
“Already this year in Manitoba we have experienced more than 100 fatalities on our roadways,” said Hlynsky. “Unfortunately, 2011 has been a tragic year on our roadways, exceeding last year’s 87 road fatalities.
“Many of these collisions were totally preventable, if only the driver had changed their behaviour ─ not drinking and driving, not speeding and buckling up their seatbelt.”
December’s average count of 733 collision victims is the cumulative total of deaths, serious injuries, minor injuries, minimal injury and other, explained Hlynsky.
“Manitoba is entering the traditional holiday season,” said Hlynsky. “People will be enjoying their Christmas parties and gatherings. But it’s important to place road safety as a priority.”
With the goal of raising road safety awareness among young Manitobans, Manitoba Public Insurance recently announced it was sponsoring the inaugural ‘Rethink Road Safety Video’ contest. The contest ─ open to Manitobans aged 16 to 25 ─ will run from December 1 to April 1, 2012. First prize in each category is $5,000. (Prizes will be awarded as gift cards for electronics, educational products or scholarships.)
Winning videos will be announced and shown at the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) annual conference being held in Winnipeg next spring. The winning videos will also be hosted on both the Manitoba Public Insurance and CCMTA websites.
To enter, contestants will upload their respective videos to their YouTube channel and provide a link on their entry form. All entries will be reviewed by Manitoba Public Insurance staff prior to posting on the official contest website.
More information on the contest can be found on MPI’s website.
