The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Submitted by Manitoba Public Insurance Manitoba drivers are not putting down their handheld devices, according to a recent Manitoba Public Insurance survey. In efforts to reduce distracted-driving collisions, Manitoba Public Insurance announced Monday it is providing $120,000 in funding to police agencies to conduct targeted, dedicated enforcement towards distracted drivers during the month of February. 'Manitoba Public Insurance's objective is to help raise awareness that if drivers choose to drive while using a handheld device, there are consequences,' said Ted Hlynsky, vice-president of claims control and safety operations for MPI. 'There's a human and economic cost associated with distracted driving crashes,' said Hlynsky. 'A person's life can dramatically change forever due to driving while distracted. The corporation also pays out millions of dollars in benefits as the direct result crashes caused by a distracted driver. 'A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a collision than a non-texting driver.' Manitoba's Highway Traffic Act was amended in July 2010 to prohibit drivers from using any hand-operated electronic device (including cellphones) while driving. Drivers caught doing so by police will receive a ticket of $199.80. Manitoba law does allow for the use of hand-free devices. 'The RCMP is committed to the safety of Manitobans on our province's roadways,' said Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson, Commanding Officer of RCMP 'D' Division. 'Through monitoring, education, and enforcement, we are working to reduce the number of collisions and deaths caused by distracted drivers.' Research clearly states that using hand operated electronic devices and driving don't mix,' said Winnipeg Police Service Chief Keith McCaskill, who noted nearly 5,000 provincial offence notices for illegally using a handheld electronic device while driving have been issued by his officers since July 15, 2010. 'Like drinking and driving, speeding and not wearing your seatbelt, the illegal use of hand operated electronic devices while driving is dangerous, not socially acceptable or acceptable on any level,' said McCaskill. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents admitted to using a handheld device while driving, said Hlynsky. A total of 800 Manitobans participated in the Manitoba Public Insurance commissioned poll. 'Many people reported using their cellphone at least once in the last 10 times they drove,' said Hlynsky. 'They explained the purpose of their call was either work or speaking with a family member. A total of eight in 10 respondents acknowledged using a hand held cell phone is a serious problem.' Distracted driving poll highlights: Nine in 10 Manitobans (92 per cent) think it is likely for a driver to get into an accident when using a hand-held cell phone while driving, including 59 per cent who say it is very likely. As age increases, so does apparent concern for drivers using a hand-held cell phone while driving. Younger adults are the least likely to rate this as a very serious problem compared to older adults. When asked to name a single greatest driving problem in Manitoba: 26 per cent cited speeding/ driving too fast for conditions 23 per cent cited cell phone use while driving 21 per cent cited drinking and driving 17 per cent cited drivers not paying attention 'For safety sake, drivers should let their calls go to voice mail, and when it comes to texting and driving _ it can wait,' said Hlynsky.
