CAA Manitoba recently surveyed 503 Manitoba drivers aged 18 and older.
The numbers are alarming. 98 per cent of Manitoba drivers have witnessed dangerous driving behaviours on Manitoba roads. 75 per cent have witnessed distracted driving, and 74 per cent have witnessed unsafe lane changes.
However, only 59 per cent admit engaging in at least one of the dangerous driving behaviours themselves. This reveals a significant disconnect between what drivers see and how they assess their own actions behind the wheel.
83 per cent of respondents reported they've witnessed Manitoba drivers speeding. Ewald Friesen is the manager, government and community relations with CAA Manitoba.
."So, the best and easiest thing you can do as we head into this Long Weekend is reduce your speed. Stay within the speed limit," said Friesen. "There are a lot of benefits beyond the safety of yourself and others. We can talk about fuel economy. That's on the minds of a lot of Manitobans given the gas prices."
One-third of those who say they regularly speed travel 10 to 19 km/h above the posted limit.
At the same time, 65 per cent of drivers say they slow down when they realize they are speeding.
"This is very, very good news. It indicates that Manitobans recognize that it's dangerous," added Friesen. "They realize they don't want to get caught or cause injury. When they realize it, they do better. This is very encouraging news."
Prevention:
All types of distracted driving are completely preventable.
Whether it's checking a notification, adjusting a device, eating, or taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds, consequences can be sudden and life-altering.
"Half of Manitobans admit to doing this. While we applaud Manitobans for being so honest, this is great stuff; it's still quite shocking how prevalent it is," continued Friesen. "As a matter of fact, 15 per cent of our survey respondents admitted to being involved in a collision that involved distracted driving."
Staying Sober:
Whether you're hitting the lake this weekend, heading to Minnedosa for Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa, or just heading to a friend's place, staying sober is critical.
In 2024, 15 people died, and 118 were injured, some sustaining life-altering injuries, in impaired driving collisions in Manitoba.
In the five years previous to that, 91 people died, and more than 350 sustained injuries. While having a great time is the goal, there is no place for getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. If you get caught, there are strict penalties.
In the worst case, lives can be lost.
"This includes, of course, drug-impaired driving, which includes cannabis," ended Friesen. "Cannabis impaired driving is on the rise in Manitoba. Most people don't recognize that cannabis impaired driving penalties are identical to alcohol related driving penalties. So the rules that we apply, the behaviours, and preventative measures that we apply to alcohol impaired driving, apply equally to cannabis impaired driving."
Those measures include finding a designated driver, staying overnight, using a ride share, or getting a cab or Uber.
Everyone plays a part in keeping Manitoba roadways safe.
