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48 g o i n g p l a c e s | s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 (ILLUSTRATIONS) KVETA/THREE IN A BOX What happens in a collision? Mass and velocity create momentum. And when two objects collide, momentum doesn't dissipate: it transfers. e heavier an object and the faster it is going, the greater the momentum – and the greater the force of the collision. e destructive force of a collision isn't just reserved for metal and plastic, however. A second "collision" occurs when the forward momentum of a vehicle's occupants propels them against the seatbelts, airbag or dashboard (which all stop sud- denly in a crash), possibly causing external injuries. And a third collision – inside the body – can take place as internal organs continue in the direction they were travelling while the rest of the body comes to a sudden halt. is can result in internal organ and tissue damage, or even concussion, as the brain impacts the interior wall of the skull. ANALYZE THIS Anatomy of a Collision What happens before, during and after a crash? by Paul Sinkewicz Get back behind the wheel with a CAA-Approved Auto Repair Service facility. Visit caamanitoba.com/AARS for locations. How easy it is for us to feel safe as we beetle around in our busy lives, comfortably ensconced in a sophisticated system of electronics, glass and metal. But as around 150,000 Manitobans are reminded each year (the approximate annual number of collisions province-wide), to get behind the wheel of a vehicle is also to take on the very real risk of a crash. How to prevent a crash According to Liz Peters, corporate manager of communications for CAA Manitoba, colli- sions often happen because drivers forget a few simple rules of defensive driving. Slowing down, leaving enough space between yourself and the car ahead, and making sure you are not distracted, notes Peters, will go a long way to keeping your vehicle out of the repair shop, and you and your passengers out of the emergency room. "In Manitoba in 2011, 33 per cent of all collisions were rear-ends," she says. "Rear-end collisions aren't always pre- ventable, but those are a few defensive driving steps drivers can take to protect themselves." Brian Smiley, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) spokesperson, says drivers hold their own fates in their hands. Driver error accounts for about 70 per cent of crashes. In fact, distracted driving kills 25 Manitobans annually on average. " e major factors that come into play are drinking and driving, speeding and distracted driving. ose are the big three in terms of high-risk behaviour," says Smiley. Out on Patrol For more than 60 years, CAA has been the national coordinator of the School Safety Patrol program, which got its start in Manitoba. More than 10,000 school safety patrols across the province promote road safety in their schools and help make sure students get to and from school safely by helping them cross the street or get on or off the school bus. Not only that, the School Safety Patrol program also promotes leadership, volunteerism and professionalism. Working with local police agencies and Manitoba Public Insurance, CAA is proud to support this important road safety and awareness program. schoolpatrolmanitoba.com p48-49AnalyzeThis.indd 48 14-01-24 11:02 AM