2020 has been a tough year for many different reasons and one of those reasons is fatalities on Manitoba roads.
28 Manitobans have lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions just this year. That's well above the five-year average of 18.
Paul Manaigre with the RCMP says these numbers are shocking and he's urging the public to be safe while driving a vehicle, driving your bicycle on the roadways and even if you're a pedestrian.
"That number is staggering. We're seeing a number of high-risk factors and it's just far too many," he said.
Collisions include impaired driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and distracted driving, just to name a few. The RCMP is telling the public to remember these few things when on the road.
- Drive sober
- Wear a seatbelt
- Slow down and drive to conditions
- Be cautious and always aware of your surroundings
- Pay attention to the road at all times
- Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
- Put your cellphone away.
"I think it's safe to assume that people are being complacent and they're assuming that nothing will happen to them," continued Manaigre. "It doesn't even have to be you causing the accident, it could be someone else. We want everyone to be safe and cautious on the roads."
Another fact is that summertime also brings the highest number of motor vehicle fatalities. Most of these fatalities happen on roads in rural areas.
