A new study commissioned by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has found that certain parts of the province are more engaged in dangerous driving behaviour than others – specifically, the bad practices of not wearing seatbelts and the use of electronic communication devices (ECD) while driving.
According to MPI, non-seatbelt use is higher in rural Manitoba – an average of 10% of all rural drivers were observed not wearing their seatbelt – than in Winnipeg, where only 3% were caught not wearing the safety feature. In particular, the Interlake (16%) and Parkland (14%) regions were the worst for non-seatbelt use.
Conversely, the study found that ECD use while driving was higher in Winnipeg (10%) than in rural areas (3%). ECD use appeared to be higher in areas with traffic lights, MPI stated and also noted that younger drivers were more likely to engage in the bad practice.
“The purpose of this study was to obtain current rates of risky driving behaviour across Manitoba, with a focus on the use of hand-operated electronic devices and seatbelt use,” explained MPI chief customer officer Satvir Jatana. “The findings of this study will be used as a benchmark to monitor behaviour change over time, and shared with the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police for the purpose of planning future enforcement and awareness campaigns.”
“Driving without a seatbelt is another example of dangerous driving that can ultimately lead to preventable accidents among our clients,” commented Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba chief executive officer Grant Wainikka, who added that both non-seatbelt use and ECD distractions can not only lead to more severe accidents, but higher premiums for Manitobans in the long term.
