The people in our communities count on each other every day. Kids walking to school. Cyclists riding to work. A neighbour walking their dog around the block.
When you’re behind the wheel, they’re counting on you, too.
That’s why focusing on the road is the play.
Take a page from Brady Oliveira’s playbook: Keep your eyes up
The road is a lot like a team sport. When you’re driving, your attention protects more than just you.
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, children (and the dogs walking with them!) all rely on drivers to see them, react in time, and make safe choices.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from driving for more than two seconds.
It happens more easily than most people realize, and it can look like:
- Checking your phone
- Adjusting your GPS
- Reaching for food or a drink
- Turning to talk to passengers
- Using your vehicle’s touchscreen…even just to skip a song
The most dangerous—and completely preventable—distraction is your phone. No message, notification, or call is worth putting someone else’s life at risk.
Two seconds is longer than you think
Taking your eyes off the road, even briefly, reduces your reaction time and increases the chance of missing a stop sign, drifting into another lane, or failing to notice someone crossing the street.
Some mistakes can’t be undone. Those two seconds of distraction can lead to a fatal crash. In Manitoba, on average, one in three deaths on our roads involves a distracted driver.
Distracted Driving Laws in Manitoba
In Manitoba, distracted driving laws are strict. Distracted driving can result in fines up to $672 and 5 demerit points. Repeated offences could lead to a suspension of your driver’s license.
You can learn more about distracted driving suspensions and penalties here.
In Manitoba, distracted driving laws are strict. Distracted driving can result in fines up to $672 and 5 demerit points. Repeated offences could lead to a suspension of your driver’s license.
Be a driver even our four-legged friends can trust!
Our furry teammates don’t know which driver is paying attention and which one isn’t. They simply trust that the people behind the wheel will see them and the people they love.
So put the phone down, leave the distractions alone and focus on the road – because that’s the winning play.