Why is it important for everyone to practice and promote driving without distraction?

• The number one source of driver inattention is cell phones. Drivers using cell phones are nearly twice as likely to have rear-end collisions.
• Provincial officials say a texting driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a non-texting driver.
• Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
• Distracted driving fatalities in Manitoba: 41 deaths in 2021 (a 115.6% increase over four years).
• Distracted driving accounts for 52.6% of total road fatalities in 2021. 25 deaths annually on average between 2014 and 2018 due to distracted driving.
  National context:
• Distracted driving is becoming more prevalent than impaired driving as a leading cause of traffic fatalities in Canada.
• In 2019, distracted driving was involved in 22% of all road fatalities in Canada, surpassing impaired driving at 19%.

Types of distractions contributing to accidents:

• Cell phone use is a major factor, with texting or calling behind the wheel leading to greater cognitive distraction than other activities.
• Other distractions include eating, talking to passengers, and adjusting in-car systems (radio, GPS).

Manitoba’s response:
Public awareness campaigns aim to reduce distracted driving fatalities and injuries.
Impaired driving still a significant issue, but distracted driving is now a more prominent cause of accidents and fatalities due to increasing mobile device use.

As of 2023 driver’s caught using a hand-operated electronic device are subject to the following penalties:

• 5 Demerits which will the increase the cost to the driver for their drivers license and for vehicle insurance (MPI/Autopac)
• A fine of $672.00
• An automatic 3-day license suspension for a first offense, 7-day suspension for subsequent offenses

Submitted by: Occupational Safety and Health Program
For more info., contact: Tanner Asham, Occupational Safety and Health Officer