The Dauphin RCMP is sounding the alarm on drivers pushing the limits and not obeying the law.
Between August 1 and 7, 28 vehicles were stopped for speeding along Highways 5, 10, and 20. More than $9,300 in fines were handed out. Simply put, speeding is a big problem.
Mark Hume with Westman Traffic Services, which covers the Dauphin area, says high speeds have spiked since COVID. In his words, there are way more people driving crazy speeds.
"People aren't trained to drive at high speeds. We are; we go through that driver training," said Hume. "A tiny little hazard or anything like that, the higher the speed, the less time you have to react. Swerving around a hazard at high speeds, you have a higher chance of losing control."
Statistics show that speed kills in Manitoba. Each year in the province, an average of 23 people are killed because of speeding. That's 23 more than it should be.
"The faster you're going, the more damage you're going to do to a vehicle, and the people in it," continued Hume. "It increases the risk of injury and death the faster you go. Vehicles are made to survive crashes at certain speeds, not excessive ones."
If you're travelling 20 kilometres over the posted speed limit, the fine is $312. 40 over the limit is $573. 50 over the speed limit is $705.
Hume said he's been seeing speeds even faster than that.
"Last month, I charged a person going 183 in a 100 zone, and that was an $1,136 fine," he added.
It's also construction season in Manitoba. If you're leaving Dauphin and heading towards Ste. Rose, you'll see workers on the road. Fines for speeding in construction zones increase significantly.
Earlier this month, a 43-year-old woman was stopped near Gilbert Plains. She was going 95km/h in a clearly marked 60km/h construction zone. The fine was $966.
Just days later, a 65-year-old woman was stopped near Gilbert Plains for going 107km/h in a clearly marked 60km/h construction zone. That carried a fine of $1,280.
"The thing is, show some respect for other road users," ended Hume. "Whether they're pedestrians, drivers, or construction workers. We all play a part in keeping people safe on the roads."
