Manitobans partial to speeding: study

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This article was published 14/07/2023 (1013 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A provincewide study has found 40 per cent of motorists drive faster than the posted speed limit.

As well, Manitoba Public Insurance said its 2022 study, which captured the driving habits of more than 1.2 million vehicles at more than 50 urban and rural locations, found that seven per cent of them drive more than 10 kilometres above the speed limit.

MPI said it will use the findings to improve its programs to tell motorists to slow down.

“MPI data has consistently shown us that speed is a contributing factor in almost 20 per cent of all fatal collisions annually and this latest study tells us that remains a common and risky habit for many drivers,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s chief customer officer, in a statement released Friday.

“No matter what road you’re on, when you’re behind the wheel it’s important to drive the speed limit for that area and remember to adjust for weather, road and traffic conditions.”

MPI said its preliminary collision statistics found that speed was the primary contributing factor in about 30 per cent of the fatalities on Manitoba roads so far this year.

The public insurer said it will launch a program this fall aimed at letting motorists know how fast they are going. MPI will buy up to 35 electronic speed-display signs this year, and 20 more next year, to place in municipalities and First Nations at no cost.

Jatana said a pilot program last year found the signs are effective at reducing speeds.