MPI increases funding for RoadWatch program

Manitoba Public Insurance has increased funding for the RoadWatch program to $583,000 from $329,000. Now in its 13th year, RoadWatch combines increased law enforcement with a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the human and economic costs of impaired driving crashes. Funding allows police agencies to conduct additional impaired driving roadside checks throughout the summer.On average, 146 people are killed in traffic crashes every year in Manitoba. One third of those involve alcohol. Last year, eight police agencies participating in RoadWatch provided 815 visibility hours, conducting 282 check stop dates over 103 days. In addition, they screened 37,190 vehicles, removed 182 impaired drivers, issued 120 Liquor Control Act and Controlled Drug Substance Act violations and 1,754 Highway Traffic Act offence notices.