Manitoba has seen spike in fatal highway crashes this year: RCMP

Not having him now there, it's devastating. My nerves were like shocked in that moment. Friends of crash victims say that's how it feels to lose someone that way. Deadly collisions have increased this year, according to the RCMP. Staff Sergeant John Greer says this year's fatalities are 28% higher than the same time last year. Those include crashes from cars and off-road vehicles. It's a concern for the RCMP, a concern for the police, and we are doing all we can to address it. The RCMP's statement comes after teens died in multiple crashes last week. One of those victims was 19-year-old Alex Neska. Greer says intersections are a particular concern. Stop signs and red lights and the distraction, the distracted driving component leads to... It can lead to the intersection-related deaths. The RCMP added that out of 65 fatal collisions, 23 involved at least one person not wearing a seatbelt or helmet. Tanika Moose was friends with Nesca since kindergarten. She says losing him has made her afraid of the road, even though she doesn't drive. I know the person who's driving is a good driver, but it's just like anything can happen. Caleb Ryder's family lost a close friend earlier this year. 17-year-old Landon Cameron is the third person he's lost to a car crash in 22 years. He also says the roads now scare him. I have a family with four stepkids, and I'm terrified to be on the road because I may be good, but other people may not be. Ryder warns drivers who might ignore the warnings to think again. You don't realize who you're affecting, how long it affects people. You don't realize the families you're destroying. Greer says the RCMP will be increasing enforcement and that motorists can expect to see officers on roads and highways. Alicia Wang, CBC News, Headingley.