November 9, 2010

National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims emphasizes need for road safety: Manitoba Public Insurance

A total of 86 people were killed last year on Manitoba roadways, according to Manitoba Public Insurance.

With the National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims on Wednesday, November 17, Manitoba Public Insurance, along with its road safety partners, will continue its efforts in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our streets and highways, said Ward Keith, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Increasing road safety awareness is achieved through special days like the National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims,” said Keith.

Manitoba Public Insurance is committed to encouraging safe driving behavior and is an active member of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), which is spearheading the third-annual National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims.

“Many of these tragedies could have been prevented if drivers had made more responsible decisions about alcohol, speed or seatbelts,” said Keith. “It’s important for motorists to take responsibility for their safety.”

Keeping Manitoba roadways safe involves education, awareness and enforcement, said Keith, noting that Manitoba Public Insurance partners with police agencies throughout the province in road safety initiatives.

“Each year we lose far too many people on our Manitoba roadways,” said Inspector Mark LeMaistre, Officer in Charge of Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services.  “These are the lives of our family members, friends and co-workers.  We would like everyone to take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives on Manitoba's roadways."

It’s estimated that about 25 per cent of all fatal crashes in Manitoba are attributed to speeding.

"It's better to slow down and lose one minute in life...than to lose life in a minute,” said Brandon Police Service Chief Keith Atkinson.

The onus for safe driving rests with the operator of the vehicle, explained Staff Sgt. Mark Hodgson, Central Traffic Unit, Winnipeg Police Service (WPS).

“Every motorist has a responsibility to ensure that they travel safely around the city,” said Hodgson.

“The WPS is committed to improving road safety by targeting drivers who speed and drive aggressively,” he said. “Increased impaired driving enforcement through additional dedicated Checkstop projects and specialized training in the area of drug-impaired driving has also enhanced WPS’s mandate to keep the roads safe for all.”

The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada is a day set aside to remember those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads, often in avoidable collisions, and those left to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of people they love.

The good news is that motorists can save lives. Last year, one life was saved every day in Canada because of increased enforcement, introducing new, tougher laws, manufacturers building safer vehicles and successfully changing road user behaviours.

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