MPI says since 2011, teen drivers have been involved in 10 percent of fatal collisions.
Media Relations Coordinator for MPI, Brian Smiley, says some teen drivers need to look in the mirror and reflect on the changes they need to make to keep our roads safe,
"This week has been the launch of national teen safety driving week, and we certainly can recognize the importance of our young drivers having a safe driving foundation. But having said that, it's important that all teen drivers out there, especially in the Dauphin and Parkland region, just self-evaluate your driving. If you tend to be speeding and tailgating, not using your seatbelt, those are high-risk driving behaviours that you need to adjust."
According to Manitoba collision statistics, teen drivers are:
- 3.4 times more likely to follow too closely than drivers aged 45 and older.
- 4.3 times more likely to speed than drivers aged 45 and older.
- 5.2 times more likely to lose control/drive off-road than drivers aged 45 and older.
- 6.8 times more likely to experience extreme fatigue or fall asleep behind the wheel than drivers aged 45 and older.
- 4.2 times more likely to drive impaired than drivers aged 45 and older.
Parachute Canada organizes National Teen Driver Safety Week; they say it's a good time for all teen drivers in the province to evaluate their driving behaviours and help reduce collisions.
