With 200,000 students returning to school this week, Manitoba Public Insurance and its road safety partners are hitting the streets to remind motorists to watch their speed, and at the same time avoid getting a speeding ticket.

This morning at a Winnipeg elementary school, Manitoba Public Insurance ― in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service ― launched its new Check it, or Ticket program.

Using Manitoba Public Insurance speed reader boards, the Check it, or Ticket program will alert motorists if they are speeding near school zones.  If speeding motorists ignore the reader board and fail to slow their speed, they could be ticketed by police positioned further down the roadway.

In addition to the Check it, or Ticket program, Manitoba Public Insurance is also offering to loan out speed reader boards through its School Zone SpeedWatch program, a partnership of the public auto insurer, the City of Winnipeg Public Works Department and the Manitoba Association of School Trustees (or MAST). School or parent groups can borrow the equipment to raise drivers’ awareness of their speeds as they pass through school zones.

“Even small reductions in vehicle speed can yield significant reductions in injury risk. It is estimated that a pedestrian struck by car traveling at 50 km/h is eight times more likely to be killed than someone hit at 30 km/h,” said Clif Eden, Manager of Road Safety with Manitoba Public Insurance
   
While speeding is a dangerous practice on all roadways, the return of Manitoba students reinforces the importance of driving safely through school zones where there’s an increase in pedestrian traffic.

Last year in Manitoba, 39 children under the age of 14 were injured in vehicle-pedestrian collisions.  Young children are particularly at risk because of a number of physical and psychological factors – everything from their smaller stature, to the way they perceive traffic, to their quick movements and unpredictable behaviour.

 “The School Zone SpeedWatch program is one way concerned groups of parents, neighbours, parent councils and school administrators can make a difference,” said Eden.

“Groups can get together to borrow this speed display unit to let drivers know that there is a speeding concern in the area, that neighbours are concerned for the safety of children in the areas.”

Speed display units may be borrowed for approximately one week, in both Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.  Groups may contact Manitoba Public Insurance, 985-7199, or toll free 1-888-767-7640.

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Contact:
Media Relations, Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7300 or 1-888-554-9549 (toll-free in Manitoba)