While the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to reduced traffic volumes on provincial roadways, Manitoba Public Insurance says far too many drivers in the province are still travelling at dangerous speeds.

MPI explains that between April to June, 148 speed-related Serious Driving Offences, or SDO, were forwarded to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, which includes speed infractions of 50 kilometres over the legal limit. That's a 60 per cent increase compared to the same time last year of 93 offences.

Vice President of Community Engagement Satvir Jatana says about one in five road fatalities in Manitoba last year had speed as a contributing factor.

Of the speed-related SDOs brought forward to MPI, the average speed from April to June of this year was 59 kilometres over the posted speed limit.