A spokesperson for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) says distracted driving is a real problem in Steinbach.
Tara Seel says in 2024 there were 39 collisions in Steinbach involving distracted driving. That number is up from 30 collisions in 2023 but down from 53 in 2022. When you consider that there were 122 crashes in Steinbach from 2022 to 2024 involving distracted driving, Seel says that is a very high number.
"It shows that distracted driving is a high-risk behaviour," notes Seel. "There were very likely injuries and there could have even been a fatality. The potential consequences of distracted driving are very serious."
When you take a look at the numbers province-wide, Seel says more drivers had their licenses suspended for distracted driving in 2024 than in the previous five years. Last year, 2,817 drivers were suspended for three days for distracted driving, while 150 were suspended for seven days.
Seel says distracted driving can come in various forms. She notes people most commonly think of electronic devices, such as cell phones when they think of the root cause of distracted driving. But Seel says infotainment centres can also cause crashes, as they take drivers' minds off the road while they focus on the various buttons to choose from and press.
Distracted driving can also be caused by pets that might be jumping from seat to seat, blocking the rear window, or pushing buttons in the vehicle.
"Make sure that your animal is restrained while you are driving," urges Seel. "Either in a carrier, a crate, or a seatbelt harness."
Seel says children are also a major form of distraction as they ask a lot of questions, argue in the back seat, or throw things.
"A good recommendation to help avoid that distraction would be to have children occupied with activities," she suggests. "If you can put a show for them on the tablet or if you can bring some card games for them to play, make sure they have a snack, so they are not bothering you as the driver."
MPI says to help avoid distraction, motorists should turn on the Do Not Disturb setting on their smartphone.
But, as you can see, being distracted as a driver does not always mean you are doing something illegal. Seel says just having an intense conversation with your passenger can be a distraction.
Further to that, she says a distraction is not always over a prolonged period. For example, if you look away for one second, you could miss that pedestrian or cyclist on the road, causing you to make contact, resulting in significant injuries.
"That reduced reaction time is truly what makes distracted driving so dangerous," she adds.
In Manitoba, distracted driving can result in fines of up to $672 and a five-level reduction on the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale. Repeat offences could lead to a license suspension. You can also be charged with an offence the distraction caused you to commit, such as running a red light.
Seel explains that it takes one year to move up one level on the DSR scale. If you drop five levels it will take you five years just to get back to where you were. She notes the financial consequences of this are great as it impacts your premium and the cost of your license. Repeat offences can then lead to a license suspension. Seel says there could even be criminal code charges related to what happens as the result of the distraction.
Seel says MPI's message is simply to focus on the road, as lives could depend on it.
According to MPI, distracted driving is the number one cause of fatalities on Manitoba roadways.