Spike in deadly road crashes 'disturbing,' says MPI

A spike in deaths on Manitoba roadways is "disturbing," Manitoba Public Insurance said Friday.

There has been a 42 per cent increase in road fatalities in the province over the past three months, compared to the average number of fatalities in the same time period in the previous five years, said MPI.

From Sept.1 until now, 34 people were killed in crashes. The average for the same timespan in previous years was 24.

So far this year, 71 people have been killed on public roadways, which is already more than in all of 2014.

"Of significant concern is the fact that nearly 50 per cent of this year's fatalities have occurred in the last three months," said Ward Keith, MPI vice-president of business development and communications and chief product officer.

"Sadly, many of these fatalities have involved not using seatbelts, head-on collisions and driver inattention."

MPI is reminding drivers to be cautious and to drive to road conditions, especially since it's winter.

"We want everyone to arrive home safely to their families and friends, and these simple reminders can make a huge difference," Keith said in a news release.

"Speed, impaired driving, distracted driving and failure to wear seatbelts are all high-risk driving behaviours that can result in tragic outcomes. Driving safely and defensively can truly be the difference between life and death."