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Province announces 16th annual Citizens on Patrol Week: Oct. 15 – Oct. 21

October 15th marks the start of the 16th annual Citizens on Patrol Week, Crown Services Minister Cliff Cullen and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.

“Citizens on Patrol members epitomize the spirit of volunteerism and community involvement,” said Cullen. “Each of these community-minded volunteers deserve special recognition for their commitment to this community-based crime prevention program. They work in partnership with local law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.”

More than 1,000 Manitobans volunteer their time to participate in the Citizens on Patrol program throughout Manitoba.

In addition to providing funding for COPP ─ now in its 26th year ─ Manitoba Public Insurance offers coordination assistance in co-operation with the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP, the Brandon Police Service and other municipal police services.

“We applaud the efforts of these community minded volunteers along with the law enforcement agencies that support them,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development & Communications and Chief Administration Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Over the past year, COPP volunteers have contributed nearly 15,000 patrol hours and more than 22,000 volunteer hours to the program. Their efforts continue to be instrumental in preventing crime in their communities and are an integral part of our efforts to keep our roadways safe by educating Manitobans about the dangers and consequences of illegal and high-risk driving behaviours.”

In addition to patrolling their communities, COPP groups display speed-reader boards (provided by Manitoba Public Insurance), patrol at school crossing zones, identify suspected impaired drivers on the road and conduct seatbelt and cell phone use surveys in conjunction with the RCMP.

COPP Week kicks off this weekend with a provincial conference in Winnipeg where program representatives from across Manitoba will meet to share successes and discuss how to continue providing value to the communities in which these volunteer groups operate.

Manitobans interested in joining or learning more about the Citizens on Patrol Program can visit the organization’s website or call the provincial coordinator at 204-985-8849 or toll free at 1-866-326-7792.

Friday is the deadliest day of a holiday long weekend, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. On average, two people are killed and more than 100 others are injured each long holiday weekend ─ with 37 per cent of those injuries/deaths taking place on Friday.

“Manitobans are known for their love of cottage country and enjoying the outdoors in summer. However, everyone is expected to travel our roadways in a safe and respectful manner,” said Ron Schuler, Minister of Crown Services. “We are all accountable for keeping each other safe and road safety needs to be the top priority for all Manitobans travelling our roadways this weekend.”

“There are typically heavier traffic volumes on the Friday of every long weekend as people head out to their cottage, favourite beach or campground,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development & Communications, Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“It’s at these times in particular when all drivers must stay focused on driving to road and weather conditions, driving within the speed limit, and not driving while distracted or impaired. Seat belts also need to be worn at all times.”

Not only are high-risk driving behaviours illegal in Manitoba, they are also dangerous and can lead to tragic outcomes. In 2016 there were a total of 96 fatal collisions on public roads in Manitoba resulting in 107 fatalities, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data. In many cases, these collisions involved dangerous and high risk behaviours, and should serve as a reminder to all Manitobans about the importance of road safety.

Top five road safety tips

• Don’t text and drive. It’s against the law and attracts five demerits on the Driver Safety Rating scale. More than one in four fatal crashes in Manitoba are related to distracted driving.
• Don’t drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Driving drunk or high slows reaction time and continues to be a major contributor to fatal collisions in Manitoba. It’s also a Criminal offence that can result in severe penalties including jail time.
• Don’t speed. Speeding at-fault drivers are responsible for deaths of 19 people each year and injure more than 700 others.
• Buckle up. People not using their seatbelts are 26 times more likely to be killed and two times more likely to be seriously injured in a collision than people using their seatbelt.
• Slow down in construction zones. Watch for signs as the speed limit will be lower in a construction zone. Follow directions. The flag person helps control the flow of traffic. Follow their directions, including slowing down or stopping.

Findings from a recent speed awareness campaign reported 25 per cent of monitored vehicles (9,400 vehicles) were exceeding the posted speed limit. In total, nearly 38,000 vehicles were monitored during the Citizens on Patrol Program ‘Spotlight on Speed’ week held in 29 communities from May 1-6.

“The Citizens on Patrol Program is a grass-roots initiative, focused on community safety,” said Ron Schuler, Minister of Crown Services. “The ‘Spotlight on Speed’ initiative is just one example of how Citizens on Patrol groups across Manitoba volunteer their time and dedication to making their communities safer. We all owe these volunteers our gratitude.”

Speeding claims about 21 lives yearly in Manitoba, in addition to 600 people injured in speed-related crashes annually, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data.

“The results of the ‘Spotlight on Speed’ week confirm that many drivers still do not understand the dangers associated with speeding,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development and Communications and Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Speeding is a high-risk driving behaviour that can have tragic consequences. Last year was the deadliest year on Manitoba highways in a decade and some of those crashes were speed related. The goal for 2017 is to make our roadways safer for everyone.”

The importance of safe speeds is heightened even more with the arrival of the July holiday weekend and the start of summer vacation season, which results in heavier than normal traffic volumes on Manitoba highways. Over the last five July long weekends (2012-2016), speed was a factor in more than 200 injury collisions.

“Unfortunately, some drivers don’t think about the dangers of speeding, which can include driving over the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions,” said Keith. “The reality is that speeding reduces reaction time and extends stopping distances, both of which can contribute to unnecessary collisions, serious injury, or death.”

“On behalf of the Government of Manitoba and Manitoba Public Insurance, I would like to thank the 29 Citizens on Patrol groups throughout Manitoba that participated in the ‘Spotlight on Speed’ event, and congratulate all the volunteers for their ongoing efforts to keep their communities safe, not only through the summer but over the entire year,” added Schuler.

COPP groups that participated in ‘Spotlight on Speed’ Week:

Petersfield, William Whyte, Portage la Prairie, East St. Paul, St. Clements, Neepawa, Riverbend, Ritchot, St. Ambroise, Russell, North Whiteshell, Sandpiper, Oakbank/Springfield, Flin Flon, West Shores, The Pas, Inkster North End, West St. Paul, Selkirk, Brandon, Pierson, Souris, Steinbach, Carberry, Gilbert Park, Beausejour, McCreary, Arden and Gladstone.

About Citizens on Patrol Program

Last year volunteers contributed 14,000 patrol hours and almost 22,000 volunteer hours to the program. Their efforts continue to be instrumental in preventing crime and assisting local police agencies.

Manitobans interested in joining or learning more about the Citizens on Patrol Program can visit the organization’s website or call the provincial coordinator at 204-985-8849 or toll-free at 1-866-326-7792.

Manitoba Public Insurance, in partnership with Bike Winnipeg and the Green Action Centre, is encouraging motorists to leave a safe distance when passing cyclists.

“At this time of year there are more cyclists on our roadways and keeping them safe is everyone’s responsibility, including the motorists they share the road with,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development & Communications & Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Leaving one metre of space when passing cyclists is one simple way that motorists can do their part to help keep cyclists safe and give them the space they need to safely navigate around road hazards.”

With road safety at the forefront, Manitoba Public Insurance recently launched a new cycling safety campaign with a reminder to motorists to “Please Leave Space to Breathe”. This campaign supplements other safety tips for motorists when approaching and overtaking cyclists, as well as safety education programs for cyclists supported by the public insurer.

“With an average of 180 bicycle-vehicle collisions on public roads in Manitoba each year, we all need to do our part to stay safe and for motorists, that includes paying specific attention to cyclists as well as motorcyclists and pedestrians,” said Keith.

“We are very happy to see MPI taking this initiative to educate drivers on safe passing distance when sharing the road with people riding their bikes,” said Mark Cohoe, Executive Director, Bike Winnipeg. “Continued education and heightened awareness about the one-metre distance are positive steps in making cycling a safe experience for both cyclists and motorists.”

The one-metre distance will be of particular benefit to young cyclists, allowing them to gain confidence on the roadways.

“Our program works to ensure that children are able to safely bike to school across Manitoba and engage in healthy school travel,” said Jamie Hilland, Program Manager, Active and Safe Routes to School Program, Green Action Centre.

“Manitoba Public Insurance’s efforts to promote a safe passing distance will help give children the road space to ride safely, and reduce the risk of potential collisions. Green Action Centre’s Active and Safe Routes to School Program is proud to support Manitoba Public Insurance as they launch their ‘Please leave space to breath’ campaign.”

“Green Action Centre looks forward to continue working with Manitoba Public Insurance to help protect our most vulnerable road users, and ensure that children can safely walk and cycle in communities across Manitoba.”

Safety tips for cycling safety

For drivers:

• When passing a cyclist, leave a distance of at least one metre to ensure a safe ride. Please leave space to breathe, even if this requires you to change lanes to pass safely.
• Take extra caution at intersections and watch for cyclists when making right or left turns.
• After parking your vehicle, look for cyclists before opening your door. Opening a car door into the path of a cyclist can lead to serious injuries.
• When entering and exiting roadways and intersections, scan the sidewalks in both directions for cyclists. Remember, smaller bikes are allowed on sidewalks.

For cyclists:

Always follow the rules of the road, including stopping at traffic lights and stop signs.

• Never pass stopped vehicles in the same lane or when stopped at an intersection as the driver may not see you and turn into your path.
• Always ride on the roadway unless your bicycle is small enough to legally ride on the sidewalk. Many cycling collisions occur when bicycles are coming off sidewalks at intersections or when crossing driveways.
• Ride defensively, consider wearing reflective clothing, and use hand signals to alert motorists to your intentions.

Manitoba Public Insurance reported a net income of $38.9 million for the first three months of its fiscal year ending May 31, 2017 – an increase of $31.4 million over the same time period last year. This includes net income from the Basic insurance line of business of $15.4 million in the first three months of the 2017/18 fiscal year.

“We are pleased with these operational results, although we know that rising claims and their costs are dependent on seasonal and specific weather factors,” said Peter Yien, acting vice-president, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Historically, the first two quarters of the Corporation’s fiscal year generate a positive net income, which is then offset by an increase in claims during the winter months. Every Manitoban can directly affect how much they pay for auto insurance through their daily driving behaviour. We will continue to monitor the Corporation’s financial results over the next three quarters.”

Total earned revenues for the first three months rose by $17.0 million from the same period last year, driven mainly by a 3.7 per cent increase in overall premiums approved by the Public Utilities Board effective March 1, 2017, and increases in motor vehicle premium revenue due to an increase in the number of motor vehicles insured and the value of these vehicles.

“The overall financial picture was affected by an increase of $33.7 million in total claims costs – including a $34.5 million increase in bodily injury claims and a $5.5 million decrease in physical damage claims compared to the first three months of 2016,” said Yien.

The $34.5 million increase in bodily injury claims was impacted by an increase of $41.5 million in unpaid claims liabilities due to the interest rate adjustment on unpaid claims. The current interest rate continues to underperform against both the standard interest rate forecast ordered by the Public Utilities Board, and the flat interest rate forecast used by the Corporation.

In June 2017, Manitoba Public Insurance applied to the Public Utilities Board for an overall increase of 2.7 per cent in Basic insurance premiums for the 2018/19 insurance year. The proposed rate increase is linked to three factors affecting claims and claims costs; an increase in comprehensive losses – including hail claims, ongoing volatility in the financial markets, and changes to the design, construction and technological advances in vehicles that affect vehicle repair costs.

In addition to the 2.7 per cent overall rate increase, the Corporation is proposing changes to premiums charged under the Driver Safety Rating program to better align the premiums high-risk drivers pay to their actual claims costs.

To protect vehicle owners from future unpredictable rate increases, the Corporation is also committed to continue working collaboratively with the Public Utilities Board to establish an adequately-sized rate stabilization reserve that can be used to absorb variations in revenues, claims costs and ongoing volatility in the financial markets. The Corporation is optimistic consensus on this important issue can be reached through the upcoming GRA process for the benefit of ratepayers and all Manitobans.

The Minister of Crown Services and Board of Directors of Manitoba Public Insurance announced today that the corporation’s President and CEO, Dan Guimond, has decided to retire as an officer and director of the company. Mr. Guimond’s planned departure date is March 16, 2018, subject to recruitment of his successor and orderly transition of responsibilities.

Mr. Guimond has been with Manitoba Public Insurance for nearly 30 years, the last three as President and CEO.

“In his role as President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance, Mr. Guimond was the consummate professional, whose commitment and dedication to the Corporation and its customers was unwavering,” said Ron Schuler, Minister of Crown Services.

“On behalf of all Manitobans I extend thanks to Mr. Guimond for his passion, expertise and stewardship of our public auto insurance program.”

Of particular note during his tenure as President and CEO has been Mr. Guimond’s commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve important strategic objectives. This includes strong partnerships with the insurance brokers of Manitoba who deliver Manitoba Public Insurance products and services in nearly 120 communities throughout the province; partnerships with law enforcement and other like-minded stakeholders who share a strong interest in road safety; and collaboration with the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba on the automobile insurance rates to be charged under the Basic compulsory insurance program.

Also under President Guimond’s leadership, a historic level of cooperation with Manitoba’s collision repair industry led to a new agreement for collision repairs that helps the industry to prepare for rapid changes in vehicle design, construction and advanced technologies affecting the reparability of vehicles. The agreement sets the foundation for ensuring that when vehicles are damaged in collisions they will be safely repaired back to original vehicle manufacturer standards; thereby protecting the insurable interests of vehicle owners and ensuring the safety of repaired vehicles is never compromised if involved in subsequent collisions.

Also of note is Mr. Guimond’s oversight of many coverage and service enhancements to Manitoba’s Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP) during his time as President and CEO. Under PIPP, Manitobans who are injured in motor vehicle accidents anywhere in North America receive guaranteed access to injury compensation benefits regardless of fault, including coverage for unlimited medical and rehabilitation expenses necessary to maximize recovery and restore quality of life to catastrophically injured Manitobans, to the maximum extent possible.

“Throughout his career, Dan has been driven by a desire to provide Manitobans with superior and innovative insurance products and services while ensuring automobile insurance premiums remain stable, predictable, and among the lowest in all of Canada for comparable coverage and service,” said Brent VanKoughnet, Chair of the Manitoba Public Insurance Board of Directors.

“The Board is grateful for Mr. Guimond’s contributions to the corporation over his distinguished career and during his tenure as President and CEO during the last three years.”

Mr. Guimond joined Manitoba Public Insurance in 1990 and prior to his current position, held the position of Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Strategy and Innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, as well as an associate customer service designation from the Life Office Management Institute. He is also a fellow of the Life Management Institute and a graduate of the Queen’s University School of Business public executive program.

Over the coming months, the Board of Directors will be overseeing the process to choose a successor for Mr. Guimond and will ensure an effective transition process.

On average, nearly 500 people are injured in crashes on gravel roads in Manitoba annually, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. Sadly, about 14 people are killed yearly in crashes which occur on Manitoba gravel roads.

In efforts to reduce those numbers and heighten road safety awareness, Manitoba Public Insurance and the RCMP have partnered in a joint public awareness and enforcement campaign specific to gravel roads, which began in April and is continuing into the fall.

As of the end of July, 460 Highway Traffic Act offences notices have been issued by the RCMP, highlighted by 190 speeding, 21 non-seatbelt, and 16 short-term roadside suspensions. In addition, 10 impaired driving charges have also been laid under the Criminal Code of Canada.

“Police presence on our roadways sends a strong road safety message to those drivers who may be inclined to exhibit high-risk driving behaviour,” said Cliff Cullen, Minister of Crown Services. “Through road safety partnerships such as this, the ultimate goal is to reduce fatal crashes and injuries, not only on major roadways but on secondary, less travelled gravel roads as well.”

In efforts to heighten awareness about the challenges associated with driving on gravel roads among new drivers, Manitoba Public Insurance has also announced plans to enhance its high school driver education program starting in September.

“Driving on gravel roads can present unique challenges for all drivers, but particularly for new drivers who may not be accustomed to how even small steering wheel movements can result in loss of control,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development and Communications and Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Enhancements to the high school driver education program will expose all new teen drivers to both in-class instruction and practical on-road training on how to properly control their vehicle on gravel, and the importance of driving to road and weather conditions.”

On average, 38 per cent of gravel road fatal crashes in Manitoba are alcohol related, while speed is attributed to nearly 20 per cent of gravel road fatal crashes. There are about 3,200 crashes reported annually on gravel roads based on Manitoba Public Insurance data.

Another very important reminder is to ensure that all vehicle occupants are properly restrained with seat belts or child occupant restraints. While use of occupant restraints is mandatory at all times, failure to wear seatbelts on gravel roads can literally make the difference between life and death in a serious vehicle collision, particularly if the collision involves loss of control and vehicle rollover.

“The margin for error is razor thin when drivers make mistakes on a gravel surface,” said Insp. Ed Moreland, Officer in Charge, RCMP Traffic Services Unit. “Much like ice, failure to adjust to conditions can have dire consequences.”

Safety tips for gravel road driving:

• Always wear your seatbelt and make sure your passengers are also properly restrained. People not using their seatbelts are 26 times more likely to be killed and two times more likely to be seriously injured in a collision than people using their seatbelts.
• Slow down when you’re moving from a paved road to gravel. Make sure you have control and know how your vehicle handles on the new surface.
• Avoid any sudden changes in direction. Swerving can be particularly dangerous and may cause you to lose control.
• If you do lose control, take your foot off the gas and look and steer in the direction you want to go. Do not make any sudden changes in direction or speed.
• Avoid losing control by driving in the tracks of other vehicles.
• Keep a good distance between you and the vehicle ahead to prevent dust from obscuring your vision.

Approximately 30 Citizens on Patrol Program groups operating in communities throughout Manitoba will be out on their respective roadways, promoting ‘Spotlight on Speed’ Week which runs from May 1-6. During the week COPP volunteers will be operating speed reader boards ─ provided by Manitoba Public Insurance ─ to raise awareness of posted speed limits in their communities and as a reminder about the dangers of driving over the posted speed limit or too fast for road and weather conditions.

Data collected by participating COPP volunteers will also be shared with local law enforcement in these communities to help inform their speed enforcement efforts.

“COPP volunteers play a key role in helping keep their communities safe,” said Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler. “Such activities would not be possible without the work of these dedicated volunteers. These high visual, road-side activities are very effective in sending a road safety message to all motorists.”

Speeding claims about 21 lives yearly in Manitoba, in addition to 600 people injured in speed-related crashes.

“The purpose of ‘Spotlight on Speed’ Week is to raise awareness about this high-risk driving behaviour and for drivers to self-evaluate and adjust accordingly,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Last year was the deadliest year on Manitoba highways in a decade and some of those crashes were speed related. The goal for 2017 is to make our roadways safer for everyone.”

Speeding is also the theme of the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week, which will be held May 8-14. Dozens of countries from around the world, including Canada, will focus on speed and what can be done to address this key risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries.

Speed contributes to around one-third of all fatal road traffic crashes in high-income countries, and up to half in low- and middle-income countries, according to the UN Road Safety Collaboration.

COPP groups participating in ‘Spotlight on Speed’ Week:

Petersfield, William Whyte, Portage la Prairie, East St. Paul, St. Clements, Neepawa, Riverbend, Ritchot, St. Ambroise, Russell, North Whiteshell, Sandpiper, Oakbank/Springfield, Flin Flon, West Shores, The Pas, Inkster North End, West St. Paul, Selkirk, Brandon, Pierson, Souris, Steinbach, Carberry, Gilbert Park and Beausejour.

Last year COPP volunteers contributed 14,000 patrol hours and almost 22,000 volunteer hours to the program. Their efforts continue to be instrumental in preventing crime and assisting local police agencies.

Manitobans interested in joining or learning more about the Citizens on Patrol Program can visit the organization’s website or call the provincial coordinator at 204-985-8849 or toll-free at 1-866-326-7792.

Manitoba Public Insurance is now accepting Canadian Forces driver licences and identification cards to help establish the identity of military personnel who relocate to Manitoba and apply for a Manitoba driver licence or identification card, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.

“These military cards are issued by the Department of National Defence and in all cases, the military card holder goes through a stringent process to establish and confirm their identity,” said Schuler. For this reason, driver licences and identification cards issued by the Canadian Forces can now be used to satisfy provincial identity requirements except to confirm address in Manitoba and legal entitlement to be in Canada.”

“This is a positive step in expediting the transition to Friendly Manitoba,” added Schuler.

Manitoba’s Special Envoy for Military Affairs, MLA Jon Reyes (St. Norbert), said today’s announcement will be warmly welcomed within the military ranks.

“It can be a real challenge when military members and their families are moved between provinces,” said Reyes, who served 10 years in the Canadian Forces himself, including five years stationed on the HMCS Winnipeg as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy.

“The acceptance of military identification cards and driver licences by Manitoba Public Insurance means one less worry when a member of our military is stationed to Manitoba and applies for a provincial driver licence or identification card.”

“This change is effective immediately, and is also being adopted in other Canadian jurisdictions that don’t already recognize military identification cards or driver licences for identity verification purposes,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“In 2015, Manitoba was one of two provinces in Canada to start recognizing commercial class military driver licences for upgrade to equivalent class civilian driver licences,” said Keith. “Recognizing these licences and now identification cards to satisfy applicable identity requirements is a logical extension of this policy.”

Manitoba was also proud to introduce the “Support our Troops” specialty licence plate series in June 2015 as a means to honour and recognize the commitment of our Canadian Forces personnel. Since that time, more than 2,200 passenger vehicle and motorcycle plates have been sold; raising nearly $70,000 in proceeds used to sponsor local military and reservist personnel to pursue post-secondary university or technical college education within Manitoba through the Manitoba Military Scholarship Fund. To date, 10 qualifying recipients have received education scholarships through this important program.

“While in opposition, our party was proud to introduce the original legislation that led to the introduction of the Support our Troops specialty licence plate series,” Minister Schuler said. “To see so many of these specialty plates in circulation today makes me so proud of our Canadian Forces,” said Schuler. “These plates are one simple way that all Manitobans can say thank you, and in doing so, support the Manitoba Military Scholarship Fund.”

Support our Troops specialty licence plates continue to be available through all Autopac outlets. The cost of each set of plates is $70.00 with $30.00 directed to supporting the military scholarship program in Manitoba.

DRIVR-X: Choose your reality ignites a new conversation

With the help of leading edge technology, Manitoba Public Insurance is launching a new virtual reality (VR) experience to tackle three critical road safety issues facing young drivers in Manitoba, the Minister of Crown Services and the Corporation announced today.

Through the use of VR headsets, simulated vehicles and intricate sensor systems, DRIVR-X allows participants to explore a three-dimensional VR environment with multiple story lines that require them to make important, life-changing decisions about distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding.

“There’s no better way to reach young drivers than through the mediums they relate to the most,” Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler said today. “The VR experience created by Manitoba Public Insurance is one such technology that will give our young people the power of choice when it comes to making safe driving decisions.”

Introduced today to students from a Winnipeg high school at the Corporation’s Physical Damage Centre, the new virtual reality experience immerses users in a virtual environment that mimics realistic experiences and temptations facing new young drivers today. Students at today’s event were also given a guided tour of the Corporation’s vehicle damage compound where they saw first-hand the real life consequences of crashes involving speed, distracted and impaired drivers.

“This new state-of-the-art technology will be made available in high schools and at community events throughout Manitoba starting immediately,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Our hope is that these realistic experiences will bring the dangers and consequences of unsafe driving to life for new young drivers. In doing so, we hope to spark important conversations about the importance of making safe driving decisions that can literally protect them for a lifetime.”

Participants in the live interactive experience will also receive portable VR viewers, making it possible to share their experiences with friends and family through mobile devices. Additionally, an exciting online contest will offer people the chance to win their very own HTC VIVE VR system.

“For us, the key is to get young drivers talking to each other about the dangers of driving while impaired or distracted, or driving over the speed limit or too fast for road conditions,” added Keith.

“Our goal is for our newest drivers to learn from each other and in doing so, create a stronger road safety culture among a driving population that continues to be over-represented in collisions, fatalities and serious injuries.”

For more information about the program, or to request a booking for the virtual reality experience, visit http://chooseyourreality.ca/.

Facts on dangerous driving behaviours

• Distracted driving is a leading contributing factor in total collisions in Manitoba. Nearly 30 people are killed on Manitoba roads each year due to distracted driving.
• Approximately one in every five fatal collisions in Manitoba is linked to impaired driving.
• Speed is a contributing factor in nearly 20 per cent of all people killed in collisions in Manitoba annually.

One in 10 Manitoba drivers who participated in voluntary roadside surveys conducted last fall tested positive for drugs, according to findings released from the Manitoba Drug and Alcohol Roadside Survey, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.

The purpose of the study was to establish a baseline for current drug and alcohol usage on Manitoba roadways. Of the 1,230 drivers who participated, 124 tested positive for some form of drug.

In total, 53 per cent of drivers with drugs in their systems tested positive for cannabis, 31 per cent for cocaine, 12 per cent for opioids, and two per cent each for benzodiazepines and amphetamines/methamphetamines. Twenty two per cent of these drivers tested positive for more than one drug.

“Survey results are a clear indication that despite significant education and enforcement efforts, many Manitoba drivers continue to operate motor vehicles while impaired by drugs or alcohol,” said Schuler. “Our government has committed to making legislative changes in response to the legalization of recreational use of marijuana and these results will help guide not only messaging related to the dangers of drug and alcohol use while driving, they will also provide a baseline from which we will measure the effects of both legislative changes and future enforcement efforts.”

Prairie Research Associates were contracted by Manitoba Public Insurance in the fall of 2016 to conduct anonymous, voluntary roadside surveys to measure drug and alcohol use while driving. This initiative involved the collection of breath and oral fluid samples ─ which were immediately destroyed after testing ─ to measure level of alcohol and screen for specific drugs.

Overall, 2.4 per cent of drivers produced a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) greater than nil. When that data was weighted for population and traffic flow, the proportion of Manitoba drivers who tested a positive BAC was 0.6 per cent.

“The low incidence of alcohol presence suggests that most Manitoba drivers are making the responsible decision to not drive after drinking,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“At 10 per cent, the prevalence of drugs in the tested drivers is significantly more common and extremely concerning. While the survey does not necessarily provide an indication of driving impairment, prevalence alone provides reason for concern and lends support for targeted drug driving awareness and other road safety interventions.”

Crash rate increases with drug use

A recent medical study published by the British Medical Journal shows that crash rates for drivers under the influence of cannabis are two to six times higher than for drivers who are not impaired. The different rates are due to how much and how often drivers have smoked cannabis.

Data also shows that in 2013 (the last year available), 95 per cent of fatally injured drivers in Manitoba were tested for the presence of drugs in their system. Of those drivers, nearly 40 per cent tested positive for the presence of drugs.

Survey highlights

• 28 of 1,230 drivers tested provided a breath sample with positive blood alcohol content.
• Drug use was noted in 124 drivers across all survey communities and among both males and females.
• Drug use was most prevalent in the 35-44 age group (14 per cent of drivers tested in that age group), although young drivers also tested positive for drug use (4 per cent of drivers aged 16-18 and 12 per cent of drivers aged 19-24).
• Results indicate that the most prevalent drug for both sexes was cannabis, representing 63 per cent of positive drug tests for men and 49 per cent of positive drug tests for women.

Survey protocols

• The Manitoba survey was conducted in September 2016 in five Manitoba communities (Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie and Thompson).
• Of 1,706 Manitoba drivers surveyed, 1,230 drivers (72 per cent) agreed to participate in providing voluntary breath and saliva samples, which were immediately destroyed after testing.
• Survey results provide an estimate of the prevalence of drug and alcohol use among drivers with a 95 per cent confidence interval of ± 2.8 per cent.
• Established national protocols developed by Transport Canada and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators were used to ensure the validity of the Manitoba survey results.
• Similar surveys have been conducted in British Columbia and Ontario.

Additional information

Roadside Survey Charts

The province’s newest specialty licence plate has a distinctive sporting theme with today’s unveiling of the new Basketball Manitoba plate, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

“From medaling at national provincial tournaments to winning university championships, Manitoba’s basketball success runs deep,” said Pallister. “Basketball is a sport that encourages teamwork, inclusion and sportsmanship – values our government is committed to reflecting in everything we do.”

Manitobans wanting to show their support for the sport of basketball in Manitoba are encouraged to purchase a set of these specialty licence plates by completing an application at any of the province’s Autopac outlets.

The new plates, which are administered by Manitoba Public Insurance, will be available for purchase starting on Monday, March 20. The cost of each set of plates will be $70, with $30 from every plate purchase going toward the Basketball for Life Fund.

This program provides much-needed support to basketball programming for inner-city children and supports young people in pursuing the sport of basketball at the provincial, national and international levels, the premier noted. Costs involved in the program include competition and training costs, travel and accommodations, equipment and insurance costs.

“Basketball Manitoba is honored to have this specialty licence plate that will support our programming initiatives, while at the same time showing Manitobans’ love and passion for the sport on their vehicles the basketball community,” said Adam Wedlake, executive director, Basketball Manitoba. “Basketball in our province and country continues to grow at a fast pace and the more resources we can provide to the children of Manitoba to get and stay involved in an active, healthy and positive environment, the better our communities will be. The basketball community has shown a great interest in supporting this initiative and we are excited to see the first plates hit the street very soon.”

More information about the Basketball for Life Fund can be found at https://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/p/basketball-for-life-fund.html.

Due to the blizzard conditions in rural Manitoba, some Manitoba Public Insurance services are being affected.

If you had an appointment for service booked in one of the affected communities, you will be contacted to reschedule. Alternatively if you are affected by the current weather conditions and unable to attend a scheduled appointment, you can reschedule your appointment at no cost by contacting Manitoba Public Insurance’s Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2410.

Manitoba Public Insurance and its ratepayers saved $31.6 million from 2012 to 2015 thanks to successful anti-fraud efforts by the public auto insurer.

March is Fraud Prevention Month and this year marks the 13th anniversary of the annual education and awareness campaign that encourages Canadians to recognize, reject and report fraud.

Manitoba Public Insurance fully supports this initiative and is dedicated to keeping automobile insurance rates as low as possible by combating insurance fraud. Suspicious claims are handled by Manitoba Public Insurance’s Special Investigation Unit, which is comprised primarily of retired police officers who investigate about 3,000 claims yearly.

“These financial savings ($31.6 million in four years), is based on a reconciliation of money recovered and fraudulent claims denied,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance. “These fraud savings directly benefit insurance rate payers, and result from a dedicated focus on investigating potential fraudulent claims that may involve vehicle fires, hit and run claims or staged collisions.”

In addition to the efforts of its investigators, Manitoba Public Insurance also has an excellent working relationship with police agencies. The Corporation also operates a dedicated TIPS Line, which is a valuable source of information for SIU investigators.

“The bottom line is that insurance fraud costs everyone so we encourage all Manitobans to come forward through our TIPS Line and report suspected auto insurance fraud and speak out against this kind of illegal behaviour,” said Keith. “All calls are anonymous.”

Manitoba Public Insurance’s TIPS Line is: 985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477.

Keith explained that Manitoba Public Insurance continually reviews its anti-fraud strategies, specifically aimed at keeping step with fraudsters.

Insurance fraud – automobile, home or health care – costs Canadians more than $3 billion a year in premiums, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Organizations around the world lose an estimated five per cent of their annual revenues to fraud, according to a survey of fraud experts conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

Manitobans will soon be able to purchase higher levels of Third Party Liability insurance coverage, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.

Effective March 1, new $7 and $10 million liability coverage options will be available to supplement the $1 million, $2 million and $5 million coverage options already available for most vehicles.

Rental Vehicle Insurance offered by Manitoba Public Insurance will also automatically include the new $10 million liability coverage limit. All customers will be able to purchase increased liability coverage starting March 1, 2017, regardless of their renewal or re-assessment date.

“Court judgments in the United States and some Canadian provinces can far exceed Manitoba’s current liability coverage limits,” Schuler said today. “These court actions represent a real risk for Manitobans who drive their vehicles outside Manitoba and I am pleased that Manitoba Public Insurance is continuing to evolve its products and services to meet the needs of its customers.”

Third Party Liability coverage protects Manitoba vehicle owners and drivers if they are sued for property damage caused from at-fault motor vehicle collisions, or injuries to other people resulting from collisions outside Manitoba. In these cases, vehicle owners and drivers could be legally obligated to pay court judgments that exceed the limit of liability coverage carried.

“Manitobans who drive their own vehicles or use rental vehicles outside the province are particularly exposed, and are encouraged to consider these new optional coverage options,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention & Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Whether driving outside Manitoba on business, vacation, or just on weekend trips to the United States or to cottage country in Ontario, these new coverage options provide additional protection from financial risk in the event of a serious at-fault motor vehicle collision.”

“Our members regularly travel outside of the province and have always been able to rely on their CAA memberships for peace of mind,” said Mike Mager, president of CAA Manitoba. “Now, our members and all Manitoba drivers can feel reassured with the added security of increased Third Party Liability coverage that can save them from millions of dollars in financial exposure in a worst-case scenario.”

About Third Party Liability Coverage

If your vehicle is in a collision, you can be legally responsible for property damage claims made against you or for injuries you cause in a collision outside Manitoba. In Manitoba and most other Canadian provinces, non-commercial vehicles must be insured with minimum $200,000 Third Party Liability coverage. Manitoba Public Insurance offers higher liability coverage options to supplement the minimum legally required coverage under the basic compulsory Autopac program.

With Third Party Liability coverage, you’re covered when driving your own vehicle or when someone else drives your vehicle, with your permission. When driving someone else’s vehicle, you’re also protected as long as you’re driving with the owner’s permission. In all cases, the driver must have a valid driver’s licence.

About Rental Vehicle Insurance

If you need to rent a vehicle, it’s a good idea to think about the insurance protection you’ll need. Rental Vehicle insurance from Manitoba Public Insurance provides better coverage at a substantially lower cost than most rental companies.

The financial risks of renting a vehicle outside Manitoba are particularly significant:

• Others involved in a collision may claim against you. You could wind up with a huge bill for injuries to others and for damage to property.
• You’re personally responsible for damage to the vehicle you rent, whether or not you’re at fault. Most rental companies also charge “down-time” to compensate them for the time the rental vehicle is off the road being fixed or replaced.
• If your initial rental vehicle is unable to be driven because of a collision, you may need to rent another one at your own cost.

For more information about Rental Vehicle Insurance or the new Third Party Liability options, please contact any Autopac agent or go to the Manitoba Public Insurance website at mpi.mb.ca.

With spring still five weeks away, and with a 12 per cent increase in claims reported last month, Manitoba Public Insurance is encouraging all motorists to stay in a winter-driving mode by always driving to road and weather conditions.

“Despite the warmer weather, we still have several weeks of winter driving ahead of us,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“With changes in the weather come changes to driving conditions and at this time of year, road conditions can quickly change from ice or heavy snow to slush and freezing rain. It’s at this time of year in particular that motorists need to make adjustments to avoid collisions. This includes keeping safe distances between vehicles, keeping windshields clear, watching for pedestrians and cyclists, and driving to conditions.”

Based on Manitoba Public Insurance data, a total of 11,310 collision claims were reported to the public auto insurer in January; a 12 per cent increase over the number of claims reported in the same month last year.

“The increase in collisions last month drives home the message that driving is an activity that requires full attention and total awareness,” said Keith. “Small changes in driving behaviour, particularly at this time of year, can make a big difference in preventing collisions. We can all play a role in keeping our roads and each other safe.”

Safety Tips

• Before you head out on the highway, check for road and weather conditions by calling 511.
• Be cautious in traveling on overpasses and bridges. The surfaces on these structures can freeze quickly due to no ground insulation.
• Don’t rush. Give yourself five or 10 extra minutes to get to your destination safely.
• See where you’re going. At this time of year, keeping windshields clear is essential so make sure windshield washer fluid is topped up and windows are clear of snow and ice.
• Allow more time to stop. Traction is reduced when roads are slippery it takes more time to come to a complete stop. If you don’t have winter tires, it’s not too late to get them.
• Leave more space. Don’t tailgate at any time and remember that following distance should be increased when travelling at higher speeds or in poor visibility.

To recognize the efforts of paramedics across the province, a member-based specialty licence plate is now available to qualifying Manitoba emergency medical services (EMS) providers, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today.

“For paramedics across the province, this new licence plate is a distinctive way for active and retired paramedics to demonstrate the bonds that unite them,” said Schuler. “The new licence plate reflects the history and culture of paramedics, while also meeting the needs of all our road safety partners.”

The new plate series, which is administered by Manitoba Public Insurance, is available to current and retired licensed emergency medical services providers, as well as their immediate families. Immediate family members of fallen paramedics are also eligible for paramedic specialty plates.

Manitoba’s paramedic plate will be blue in colour, with a red EKG line crossing the bottom of the plate as well as the phrase ‘Responding for Life’. The symbol chosen for the plate contains the paramedic Star of Life atop a red maple leaf.

“Paramedics play an incredibly important role in delivering emergency medical services to Manitobans,” said Goertzen. “This specialty licence plate is a unique way to recognize the dedication and commitment of these front-line emergency medical service providers and is a symbol of pride for their public service.”

The plates will cost $70, with $30 from each purchase going toward the Canadian Mental Health Association (Manitoba and Winnipeg region). Licence plate applications can be downloaded from https://www.mpi.mb.ca.

“This distinct licence plate serves to recognize the valuable contribution that paramedics make to the lives of Manitobans each and every day,” said Eric Glass, administrative director, Paramedic Association of Manitoba. “But equally important to us is that proceeds from the sale of these plates will be directed to the Canadian Mental Health Association to assist with future initiatives targeting paramedic mental wellness.”

Nearly 71,000 loans have been processed and approved for Manitobans taking advantage of the province’s low-interest, Winter Tire Program, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.

“Manitobans know the importance of road safety and continue to understand that winter tires have significant safety merits,” said Schuler. “This low-interest winter tire program assists Manitobans to make the purchase and equip their vehicles with snow tires with the ultimate goal being fewer winter collisions and safer roads.”

Launched in September 2014, the program provides loans of up to 48 months at prime plus two per cent up to $2,000 per vehicle.

“Numerous road safety studies confirm that winter tires reduce braking distances by lessening sliding on ice and snow,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development & Communications and chief product officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Road safety should be a priority of everyone who travels on our roadways. Reducing fatalities and injuries is a goal which can be achieved when everyone makes the commitment to safety and preparing for winter with the use of winter tires is one way to keep our roads safe.”

Customers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to visit Manitoba Public Insurance’s website at www.mpi.mb.ca for more information on program rules and to select one of 620 participating retailers throughout Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.

Quick Facts:

• The average length of a winter tire loan is currently about three years.
• The average loan amount is approximately $1,200.
• At temperatures just below freezing on dry pavement, winter tires have been shown to reduce stopping distances by as much as 30 per cent compared with all-season tires.
• Winter tires offer significantly better traction on snow-covered or icy road surfaces at temperatures well below -30°C than all-season tires have at 4°C.

Manitoba Public Insurance reported a net loss of $3.6 million for the nine months of its fiscal year ending November 30, 2016 – a decrease of $14.5 million over the same time period last year. This includes net loss to the Basic insurance line of business of $31.2 million in the first nine months of the 2016/17 fiscal year.

Total earned revenue for the first nine months was $896.3 million which is an increase of $48.5 million from the same period last year ─ primarily attributed to increases in motor vehicle premium revenue as the result of the number of motor vehicles insured, and the value of these vehicles.

“The overall financial picture was affected by an increase of $158.0 million in total claims costs compared to the same period last year, while an increase of $101.8 million investment income helped offset these increased costs,” said Heather Reichert, vice-president, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

Total claims costs included a $98.5 million increase in bodily injury claims and a $56.8 million increase in physical damage claims compared to the first nine months of last year. The bodily injury increase is primarily due to the interest rate adjustment on unpaid claims, however, an increase in collision claims is also negatively impacting claims costs.

On December 15, 2016, the Public Utilities Board released its ruling on the Corporation’s rate application for the 2017/18 fiscal year. Effective March 1, 2017, overall average Basic insurance rates will increase by 3.7 per cent for the 2016/17 year. This marks only the third time in the past 10 years that Manitoba Public Insurance will be increasing rates overall for Manitobans.

“The Corporation acknowledges that the overall 3.7 per cent increase in premiums ordered by the Public Utilities Board will mitigate the risk of continuing to rely on interest rate forecasts of the five major Canadian banks, but that if interest rates continue to under-perform against the projections the Board has ordered the Corporation to use, the Corporation will continue to remain financially vulnerable,” said Reichert.

“The Corporation also remains concerned that failure to establish an appropriately sized rate stabilization reserve for the Basic compulsory insurance program based on standard industry practice will continue to make it difficult to protect vehicle owners from large premium increases or the potential need for a rate stabilization reserve rebuilding fee in the future.”

In the interest of protecting the privacy and security of Manitobans, Manitoba Public Insurance will be implementing a system change to remove the printing of registered owner addresses on non-commercial vehicle registration cards, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler announced today.

“This is a positive step in enhancing privacy for Manitobans,” said Schuler. “Vehicle registration cards are often left inside the vehicle which makes them susceptible to being taken should the vehicle be broken into. Removal of the registered owner address will ensure the privacy, confidentiality and security of registered vehicle owners is maintained in these cases.”

This change, which is supported by the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police, will be introduced starting with renewals and new vehicle registrations effective March 1, 2017 and later.

“Police vehicles across the province now have online computer access to driver and vehicle licensing databases to confirm addresses of registered vehicle owners, making it unnecessary to include this information on the physical vehicle registration card issued,” said Ward Keith, vice-president of Business Development & Communications and chief product officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“The new cards will be automatically introduced at no cost as policyholders renew or make vehicle or insurance changes that trigger printing of new vehicle registration documents,” said Keith. “Full transition will take up to five years as current vehicle registration cards can be valid for this period of time.”

Customers wishing to obtain a new vehicle registration card immediately without physical address can do so at any Autopac agent for a $15 vehicle registration card replacement fee.

Commercial vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) will not be affected by this change because the addresses on commercial vehicle registrations are typically those of commercial transport businesses, so the same risk to personal privacy and security does not exist, explained Keith. In addition, because IRP-registered vehicles are primarily operated outside of Manitoba, the address on the registration card is required by law enforcement officers in other jurisdictions who do not have direct access to Manitoba vehicle registration records.