Manitoba Public Insurance seeking public input on road safety
Manitobans are being asked for their input and feedback as to how the province’s public auto insurer should move forward with road safety initiatives.
Until the end of May, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is holding a series of public forums across the province. Manitobans are also invited to read a road safety discussion paper, and provide their feedback via mail, or email. Responses to this discussion paper should be delivered no later than June 30, 2011.
The public information displays can be found at the following locations:
| Winnipeg | |
| Kildonan Place | May 17-18, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Grant Park Shopping Centre | May 20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Rural | |
| Clearspring Mall (Steinbach) | May 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Southland Mall (Winkler) | May 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Market Mall (Dauphin) | May 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| City Centre Mall (Thompson) | May 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Consultations in Brandon and Portage la Prairie have been postponed due to flooding, and will be rescheduled at a later time.
“We’re going to Manitobans for their thoughts and opinions,” said Marilyn McLaren, President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance.
“Safer streets and highways mean fewer collisions, fewer fatalities and injuries, and lower Autopac rates—goals we can all agree on. We’re asking Manitobans how should Manitoba Public Insurance go about fulfilling the vision of safer road travel?”
Every year, about 100,000 drivers are involved in vehicle collisions in Manitoba. On average, 146 people are killed and 17,000 are injured. Total claims costs each year are approximately $650 million of which a third is from injury claims.
With the goal of reducing deaths and serious injuries, Manitoba Public Insurance is holding these public forums to confirm the corporation is using its resources to best meet the needs and expectations of Manitobans regarding how to best decrease these statistics.
MPI says preventing collisions and keeping road users safe will help keep Autopac rates low. Currently, impaired driving costs $33 million in claims annually; speeding costs $40 million; non-use of seat belts results in $23 million in claims; and collisions with wildlife cost $31 million.
