Manitoba Public Insurance is reminding motorists to slow down and be careful this August long weekend.

The crown corporation has seen a troubling trend of injuries and accidents during holidays.

MPI Media Relations Brian Smiley says Friday is the deadliest day of the long weekend.

"On average, one person is killed, and over 100 are injured each holiday weekend. Sadly, 35 per cent of those deaths take place on Friday. We're heading into the August long weekend, and we want to send a road safety message to everyone on the roads. Please be road safety conscious."

From April to June of 2020, 148 speed-related Serious Driving Offenses have occurred on Manitoba Roadways. That's a 60 per cent increase from 93 in the same period last year.

Smiley gives us knowledge about how you can stay safe.

"Typically there's heavier traffic volume meaning there are far more vehicles on the roadways on Friday as people head out to cottages, beaches, the campground. The most important thing to do is to be patient. If you can, leave a little bit earlier, you don't want to be rushing. We know that people are in a hurry to begin their holiday long weekend, but you want to have a safe and happy holiday weekend."

MPI also recommends: don't text and drive, refrain from drinking and driving, and slow down.

Smiley says last year saw a lot of fatalities.

"In 2019, there was a total of 77 people killed on our public roadways. As of the end of July of this year, our preliminary data reports 33 people killed on our public roadways. We are trending in a downward turn, but I think we would all agree that 33 is far too many, particularly for the families involved."