This past month was one of the deadliest Februarys on Manitoba roads in 20 years, according to Manitoba Public Insurance.

MPI data shows February 2018 to be the second-worst for road fatalities in Manitoba in two decades.

MPI says nine fatalities were reported last month.

This comes after 2017 was declared one of the safest years for road fatalities in 35 years. Three times as many people have died on Manitoba roadways in January and February 2018 as compared to the same time period last year.

MPI vice-president, Business Development and Communications, CAO Ward Keith says these numbers should be a wake-up call to drivers.

"Winter driving can be a challenge for the best of drivers but when combined with high-risk driving behaviours, the outcomes can be tragic," says Keith in a news release.

MPI says a full analysis of fatal crashes in February is still in progress, but preliminary data shows almost half of the crashes involved impaired driving and nearly two thirds involved someone not wearing a seatbelt. Speed is also suspected as a contributing factor, including driving too fast for the conditions, in two thirds of the fatal crashes as well.

"It is essential that all drivers take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of other road users," says Keith in the release.

Motorists are encouraged to drive defensively and to the conditions this weekend, as a major winter storm is heading our way.