Police target distracted drivers in Manitoba

Police forces in Manitoba aregetting extra funding to crack down on distracted driving in February.

Manitoba Public Insuranceis giving $120,000 to police in Winnipeg and Brandon as well as the RCMP for extra, targeted enforcement on drivers who use handheld cellphones and text.

A recent survey conducted by MPI revealed Manitoba drivers are not putting down their handheld cell phones.

The government insurance agency polled 800 people between November and December 2011 on the phone. Of those,40 per cent admitted to illegal cell phone use while driving.

Winnipeg police say distracted driving was likely to blame in at least two fatal crashes in 2011.

"Theres a human and economic cost associated with distracted driving crashes," said Ted Hlynsky, vice president of claims control and safety operations for MPI. "A persons life can dramatically change forever due to driving while distracted.

"Many people reported using their cellphone at least once in the last 10 times they drove," Hlynsky added.

"They explained the purpose of their call was either work or speaking with a family member. A total of eight in 10 respondents acknowledged using a hand held cell phone is a serious problem."

Nearly 5,000 notices for illegally using a handheld electronic device while driving have been issued byWinnipeg policesince July 15, 2010, according to police chief Keith McCaskill.

"Like drinking and driving, the illegal use of hand operated electronic devices while driving is dangerous, nor acceptable on any level,"he added.

"For safety sake, drivers should let their calls go to voice mail, and when it comes to texting and driving it can wait," added Hlynsky.