Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has revealed that the number of fatal crashes on provincial roads declined in 2018.

Seventy-one (71) people were killed on the province’s roads last year, the insurer said in its statement. Of that number, a significant 42% were linked to impaired driving, either through alcohol or drugs.

In 17% of those deaths, speed was a contributing factor, while 28% were partly due to the passengers and/or drivers not wearing seatbelts.

MPI confirmed that last year’s data is still being analyzed, so statistics related to distracted driving as a contributing factor to fatal crashes has not been listed yet – the insurer said it will release those results later this year.

MPI spokesperson Satvir Jatana said in the release that the insurer is confident that it can make 2019 one of the province’s safest years in terms of driving. Jatana adds that this can be accomplished through public awareness, education, partnerships with law enforcement agencies, and drivers making a conscious effort to change their behaviours.

Global News reported that the 71 crash fatalities in 2018 is actually 19% lower than the previous 10-year average, which was 88 people killed on Manitoba roads each year from 2008-17.