Friday of a long weekend is the most dangerous on the roads for vehicle collisions, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. (RCMP HANDOUT)
As Manitobans pack up for the lake or cottage country this long weekend, Manitoba Public Insurance wants drivers to keep road safety in mind.
Friday is typically the worst day on the roads for collisions during the August long weekend.
“On the Friday of the long weekend in particular, traffic volumes typically increase on roadways leading out of Winnipeg as people head to cottage country. Safety must be a priority,” said Ward Keith of MPI.
Nearly 40 percent of all holiday long weekend road deaths and injuries occur on the Friday, according to claims data collected by MPI. On average, one person is killed and close to 30 others are injured over a long weekend holiday.
Data collected from 2008-2013 show Sunday and Monday have the smallest proportion of victims per day.
Top Five Road Safety Tips from MPI:
- Don’t text and drive. It’s against the law and now attracts five demerits on the Driver Safety Rating scale. One in four fatal crashes in Manitoba are related to distracted driving.
- Alcohol and driving is a deadly mix. One in four fatal accidents in this province is alcohol related.
- Buckle up. People not using their seatbelts are 30 times more likely to be killed and five times more likely to be seriously injured in a collision than people using their seatbelt.
- Don’t speed. Speeding at-fault drivers are responsible for an average of 22 fatal and 400 injury crashes each year.
- 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.
