65 Deaths on Manitoba Roadways so far this year has the RCMP emphasizing better driving habits

Last weekend our province saw three separate fatal collisions leading to five deaths on Manitoba roadways. Considering the lives that were tragically lost, the RCMP recommends that Manitobans remember the foundation of good driving habits, especially with winter right around the corner.

Julie Courchaine, Media Relations Officer with the Manitoba RCMP, shares that two of the three incidents that transpired this past weekend involved individuals not wearing their seatbelts.

"One of the things I'm hoping to take away from this is how important seat belt use is," says Courchaine. "I know in two of these incidents seat belts weren't in use. We don't know if that could have prevented the deaths, but there is a much better chance of saving a life if you are wearing a seat belt."

Courchaine speaks to the fact that roadway fatalities inevitably go up when winter conditions arrive in the province.

"Like 99 per cent of these are avoidable, and I mean it's just the basic stuff that we all know, drive to conditions, to be aware, to be alert, distracted driving is a huge issue that we deal with as well."

Courchaine stresses getting your winter tires on in time, adding that you should ideally have them on before the first snowfall which sticks around.

"The most important thing is for people to remember to drive to conditions, whatever those conditions may be. So, slow down, and don't be in a race. We want everyone to get to their destination safely."

The Media Relations Officer notes that when conditions do get horrid in the winter season, you should be very cautious about highway driving, particularly when the RCMP has closed them.

"I mean, we saw last winter was just a terrible winter for us. We saw so many snow storms, and the conditions were so poor that we shut down those highways many times. I think it is just important to look ahead. What is your plan? When are you planning on leaving? Are highways open? We saw many incidents resulting in people needing help on these closed highways."

The RCMP says that the 5-year average for this point in the calendar (year-to-date) is 59.4 fatal collisions with 65.4 deaths. While this year, the number currently sits at 60 fatal collisions, with 65 Deaths.