JUNE 2, 2022 UPDATE

The Safer Highway 6 Citizens Action Group from 4 communities presented the petition with 5600 names and a brief of recommendations for highway improvements to the Minister of Transportation in Winnipeg on May 12, 2022. We built a strong case that, unless you live in the North and drive the 8-10 hours to Winnipeg in winter with all the semi trailer traffic, you cannot understand the risk and the stressful conditions northern drivers face.

We continue to ask people to sign this petition today so we can follow up with government and advocate for investment on safer highway conditions to northern Manitoba. If you would like to see a copy of the brief and the recommendations for highway improvements, just email us and we will send you a PDF file.

manitobahighway6@gmail.com.  
Cell 204 679 1906.

PREAMBLE

#SaferHighway6

The recent car accident and death of Thompson’s MLA Danielle Adams, as she was driving to Winnipeg on Highway 6, was a terrible tragedy and loss that never should have happened. It shocked everyone regardless of their political bent.

The accident highlighted the danger and risk Northerners face when traveling by road as Highway 6 services much of northern Manitoba.
For many years, many people and groups have lobbied different governments for improvements to our highways to reduce the risk when driving.

Although long haul trucking service is essential to supply the north, semi trailers and double length units on single lane highways can be difficult to pass in summer and dangerously so in winter when billowing snow blocks the view and can blind drivers, especially when daylight hours are very short. Many stretches do not have wide enough shoulders to park off the road in complete safety.

Highway 6 should have been widened and improved when double length trailers were approved years ago. The cost of human life cannot be equated with lower freight cost savings. What is the cumulative cost of the many severe accidents to Manitoba Public Insurance as well as to police and health services, let alone the pain and suffering to family members?

SOLUTIONS

To overcome these risks and challenges northern highways need wide shoulders, passing lanes every 50 kilometres, lay-bys for rest stops and rumble strips at key areas. Even faster response times to major accidents.  Sweden has improved their northern highways with a 2+1 lane approach that has reduced accidents by 50%. Northern Ontario is considering this. Manitoba should follow. Such improvements are being led by an International Road Assessment Program/ IRAP in 30 countries of the world to reduce deaths by 2 million people over this decade. Manitoba should participate. 

Northern Manitobans want better solutions that keep people safe. Therefore, the people in this petition strongly request the Province of Manitoba to immediately initiate a THREE year plan to achieve these goals from Winnipeg to Thompson and budget accordingly. The work should start in the summer of 2022 by simply priorizing a greater percentage of funds to be dedicated to the North. 

We look forward to the government’s announcement!

#SaferHighway6

PARTIAL LIST OF ACCIDENTS IN THE PAST:

Names are provided as initials only or pending from media accident reports. If there are omissions or errors, please advise. More accident information is being gathered. Contact email - ManitobaHighwaySix@gmail.com. We will answer as quickly as we can. 

YEAR / PERSON / RESULT / TYPE

2022 Unknown. Rollover.
2022 Media story. Death. Head-on collision
2021 Danielle Adams. Death. Head-on collision
2021 Media story. Death. Collision
2021 K.G. Death. Collision
2021 Media story. Death. Collision
2020 J.H. Minor Injuries. Collision
2020 Media story. Critical Injuries. Collision
2019 E.D. Injuries. Rollover
2018 C.S. Minor Injuries. Accident
2017 Media story. Critical Injuries. Collision
2016 Media story. Concussion. Rollover
2016 Media story. Death. Collision
2016 JC. Minor Injuries. Accident
2016 TR. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2016 Media story. Death. Collision
2016 ER. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2016 CB. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2013 L.A. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2011 L.A. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2011 Media story. 4 Deaths. Collision
2014 L.P. Major injuries. Accident
2011 S.D. Broken ribs & pelvis. Collision
2008 A.C. Injuries. Rollover
2006 R.U. Death. Collision
2006 T.D. Death. Collision
2005 H.D. Death. Accident
2004 Media story. Neck. Injuries Rollover
2004 J.S. Head, back, hip Injuries. Rollover
2003 R.H. Neck, back injuries. Rollover
2002 L.K. Minor Injuries. Rollover
2000 N.S. Major Injuries. Rollover
2000 A.M. Death. Collision
2000 J.H. Minor Injuries. Collision
1998 C.H. Death. Accident
1996 H.K. Broken Neck. Collision
1996 L.N. Broken Neck. Rollover
1995 F.F. Paralyzed. Accident
1995 B.W. Minor Injuries. Rollover
1995 B.J. Minor Injuries. Rollover
1992 M.A. Death. Accident
1992 W.A. Death. Accident
1992 F.M. Death. Accident
1990 E.B. Major Injuries. Rollover
1990 L.Y. Serious injuries. Accident
1990 A.B. Major Injuries. Rollover
1989. M.B. Death. Accident
1988 K.P. Neck, back injuries. Rollover
1988 W.P. Nick, back injuries. Rollover
1988 S.A. Death. Accident
1988 B.M. Death Accident
1978 R.B. Head, neck Injuries. Collision