The long weekend is almost here, and MPI Spokesmen Brian Smiley wants to remind everyone to ride to the road conditions. He explains long weekends see increased traffic on our roadways and in turn more possibilities of collisions, injuries, and even death.

"Now, fortunately, during the Louis Riel holiday long weekend on average, one person is killed," Smiley said. "We all would like to see that number down to zero. The worst holiday long weekend is Labour Day weekend." 

Smiley notes whiteout conditions and black ice are far from ideal road conditions; he suggests driving 10 to 15 kilometres under the speed limit if need be. Smiley adds last year more than 70 people were killed on Manitoba roadways, 40% of that was related to impaired driving. 

"Have a plan before you set out to celebrate," stresses Smiley. "Perhaps have a designated driver, spend the night at the residence where you're partying. The worst time to make a plan is after you've consumed alcohol or drugs; that's when unwise decisions are made."

Smiley notes in the Portage la Prairie area, in particular, there have been and are many fatalities, and or serious injuries as a result of drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts. He encourages everyone to buckle up to avoid being seriously hurt or killed in the event you're in an accident.