Manitobans are speeding less and using their handheld electronic devices more when behind the wheel, RCMP statistics reveal.

Manitoba RCMP have released the results of their Canada Road Safety Week, following active enforcement throughout Manitoba last week.

From May 14 to 20, 2019, RCMP focused on high-risk driving behaviours as a result of the Canada Road Safety week Enforcement Campaign.

A number of charges and suspensions were administered throughout the week for varying dangerous driving offences.

  • 28 people charged with Criminal Code Impaired Driving
  • 6 alcohol or drug-related administrative suspension
  • 10 charges for failing to wear seatbelts
  • 479 charges for speeding
  • 2 charges for using a handheld electronic device while driving
  • 209 other traffic-related charges

In comparison to last year's Road Safety Week campaign, fewer individuals were chared this year with Criminal Code Impaired Driving and alcohol or drug-related administrative suspension. Half as many charges for speeding were laid in 2019; however, the RCMP reported that in 2019, there was more than double the number of charges for failing to wear seatbelts and over five times more charges for using a handheld electronic device while driving.

The RMCP reported no motor vehicle-related fatalities during this years' Road Safety Week. In 2018, two motor vehicle-related fatalities were recorded.

National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day was also observed over Saturday, May 18, 2019. 23 checkstops checked around 1000 vehicles across Manitoba during this time.