October 12, 2010

High risk deer/vehicle crash areas identified: Manitoba Public Insurance warning motorists to be very cautious

Westman, Eastman, Pembina Valley and Winnipeg are a few of the regions which have been identified as high-risk areas for deer/vehicle crashes, according to Manitoba Public Insurance claims data.

In efforts to educate Manitoba motorists about the high-risk areas, two maps showing the high-risk areas have been posted to the Manitoba Public Insurance website: www.mpi.mb.ca.

On average, there are about 6,600 deer-vehicle crashes each year in Manitoba, according to the MPI claims data. Within the City of Winnipeg there are about 400 crashes annually between vehicles and deer.

Within the broader Capital Region of Winnipeg (an area including City of Winnipeg, Selkirk, Birds Hill Park, St. Francois Xavier, St. Adolphe, Headingley and Sanford), there were 1,766 deer-vehicle collisions in 2009.

“The maps captured four years (2006-09) of collected data,” said Clif Eden, Manager of Road Safety, Manitoba Public Insurance. “The captured data is deer-only collisions. Many people have the perception that deer/vehicle crashes only take place in rural Manitoba, but when you see the map of Winnipeg it’s alarming how many crashes take place within the capital city.

“The maps are a valuable visual tool for Manitoba motorists to use when travelling throughout the province.”

A number of highways in these regions are particularly high risk, according to MPI data:

  • Highways within Western Manitoba – including Hwy #1 (Portage la Prairie to Carberry, Brandon, and Virden), Hwy #16 (near Neepawa and Minnedosa) and Hwy 10 north and south of Brandon
  • Hwy 3, from Carman to Morden/Winkler area, and onwards to Killarney
  • In and just west of Winnipeg (roads leading to Headingley – particularly on Wilkes and Roblin Rd)
  • Roads surrounding Birds Hill Park, in particular Hwy 59 and Garven Rd
  • Eastern Regions – specifically roads leading to cottage country: Beausejour (Hwy 44), Lac du Bonnet (Hwy 11), Steinbach (Hwys 52 and 12) and Lake of the Woods (Hwys 1 and 44).

Last year in Manitoba more than 300 people were injured in a wildlife-related collision, according to Manitoba Public Insurance claims data. Another three people were killed between the years 2005 and ’09.

Manitoba motorists should be aware that they are now entering the two highest months for wildlife/vehicle collisions: October and November with 1,300 and 1,600, respectively.

In addition to the human toll, there’s a financial cost. More than $30 million is paid out in wildlife collisions annually by Manitoba Public Insurance. In 2009 the average cost of an injury claim to occupants in the vehicle was nearly $15,000.

Motorists are encouraged to do the following:

  • Slow down when you see wildlife crossing signs
  • Be especially aware in later evening, as well as during dusk and dawn hours
  • Scan the roadside for animals — get your passengers to help and watch for the reflection of headlights in the eyes of a deer, or a dark silhouette
  • Slow down and be prepared to stop. Blow your horn (with a good long blast) to scare the animal away
  • Avoid hard swerving — you may lose control. Brake firmly to reduce the impact between the animal and your vehicle
  • If the vehicle is driveable, move it off the road and turn on emergency lights

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© 2010 Manitoba Public Insurance