There are about 9,500 collisions that occur in the province of Manitoba that involve deer and vehicles each year, a recent report from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) found.
MPI also found that, on average, nearly 500 people are injured in wildlife-related collisions annually. And over the last 10 years, nine people in Manitoba have been killed in crashes caused by an animal on the road.
When the total number is broken down per region in Manitoba, the top five regions in terms of vehicle-deer collisions are:
MPI noted that Winnipeg – Manitoba’s capital and Canada’s seventh largest city – is number seven on the list.
“At this time of year in particular, there’s an increased likelihood of encountering these animals when travelling through these zones. Awareness is one key to preventing a collision,” said MPI chief customer officer Satvir Jatana.
“With over 9,000 vehicle-deer collisions yearly in Manitoba, our goal is to see that reduced through education, awareness, emerging driver-assist technologies, and drivers taking preventative steps.”
MPI said that in addition to publishing its annual deer collision listing, it is raising awareness of the issue by working with the City of Winnipeg to place high-visibility message signs at areas considered key wildlife-vehicle collision areas. A total of eight signs will be rotating across 21 identified locations this year. MPI will also help install a similar high-visibility sign at Riding Mountain National Park.
