MPI counters road safety study findings

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/01/2025 (354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has countered the findings of a recent study that concluded that drivers in the province face the highest risk of road traffic injuries in Canada.

The study, shared by Preszler Injury Lawyers — a Toronto-based personal injury law firm — also revealed that Manitoba recorded a staggering 786.4 injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers in 2022, which is 85.4 per cent more than the national average of 424.1 injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers. These figures place the province ahead of Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, which reported 681.3 and 636.9 injuries per 100,000 drivers, respectively.

Analyzing data sourced from Transport Canada’s National Collision Database for 2022, which was updated as recently as May of last year, the study attributes the steep number of injuries to severe weather conditions and insufficient road safety measures in certain provinces.

However, MPI spokesperson Tara Seel questioned the conclusion drawn in the study, telling the Sun it overlooks Manitoba’s unique reporting methodology, compared with other provinces.

“What the study does not outline is that Manitoba’s reporting methodologies are quite different from other provinces, particularly those without a public insurance model, like Ontario,” Seel said during an interview.

“Manitoba is a no-fault jurisdiction, which means all residents carry Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP) coverage wherever they travel — in Canada and the United States.”

For Manitobans, she added, there is no reduction in the level of benefit or increase in their insurance rates, based on the degree of fault for the accident.

Seel also explained that the province reports more injury and collision data than other provinces because of its structure as a public insurer. She further explained that when an individual makes a claim to MPI, they can report the traffic collision, make a repair claim for physical damage, and file a claim for any injuries at the same time, with the same person and on the same call.

The corporation, according to her, asks claimants if there were any injuries during the incident and records their response. Given the ease of reporting and comprehensive data gathering done during the claims process, reporting for even minor injuries correspondingly reflects a greater incidence of injuries.

“This results in higher reporting rates, compared to provinces where fear of increased premiums may deter individuals from filing claims,” Seel added.

Data from Transport Canada — which is a federal institution responsible for transportation policies and programs — indicates that road safety statistics vary significantly across provinces and territories in Canada when adjusted for population, vehicle usage and the number of licensed drivers.

Nationally, Canada reported 5.0 fatalities and 305.2 injuries per 100,000 population in 2022, with 4.7 fatalities and 286.5 injuries per billion vehicle-kilometres, and 6.9 fatalities, along with 424.1 injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers.

In Manitoba, the fatality rate per 100,000 population is 5.5, with injuries pegged at 532.8. When adjusted for vehicle usage, fatalities are 4.3 per billion vehicle-kilometres, and injuries are 411.0. For licensed drivers, the province reported 8.1 fatalities and 786.4 injuries per 100,000 individuals, placing Manitoba above the national average in injury rates across all metrics.

MPI’s data echoed these statistics, further indicating that most collision fatalities — 63 per cent — occur in rural areas on highways or roads outside communities. The City of Winnipeg accounted for 17 per cent of such fatalities, while 20 per cent were reported in other communities across the province.

The Preszler Injury Lawyers’ study was released ahead of MPI ramping up its advocacy efforts for winter driving safety. While some provinces mandate the use of winter tires, MPI does not formally recommended this to the Manitoba government. Instead, it promotes its Winter Tire Loan Program, which allows residents to purchase tires at reduced costs.

“Winter tires are crucial for navigating Manitoba’s harsh winters, but mandating them is a policy decision,” Seel said. “At this time, MPI has not considered recommending to Government the mandatory use of winter tires in Manitoba.”

MPI continues to invest in safety initiatives, allocating over $1.3 million in 2024-25 for driver training in rural and underserved communities, she added.

Despite its criticism of the Preszler Injury Lawyers’ study, Seel acknowledged the urgency of reducing road traffic injuries.

“One injury or death is one too many,” Seel said. “We remain committed to improving road safety through education, enforcement and collaboration with local and national organizations.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola