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From holiday gatherings to shopping trips for stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts, parking lots and roads are busier than usual. Many would say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can quickly turn as sour as the Grinch if you’re not careful, especially when dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic, winter conditions, and stressed drivers.
Stay kind this season. For some, the holidays are tough. You never know just how far an act of kindness goes, whether it’s allowing someone to go in front of you, or a wave of thanks.
Angry driving is unsafe driving. Speeding, cutting people off, and driving aggressively can lead to a collision. The holidays are about kindness – not anger and crashes!
Plan ahead to avoid the holiday traffic jam. Being stuck in traffic is a temporary delay. However, if you know traffic raises your blood pressure, leave earlier and give yourself more time to make your trips.
By staying calm and being considerate on the road, you can help ensure everyone gets home safe, allowing all of us to enjoy the season with the people we love.
Embark on an epic quest to become a safe winter driver.
Equip yourself with the necessary winter tools. A window scraper and snow brush are essentials – always clear all your vehicle’s windows before you start driving. Stock your vehicle with an emergency kit, including a shovel, flashlight, traction aids, reflective safety triangles or flares, and booster cables. In case you find yourself stranded, extra warm clothes, a blanket, hand and foot warmers, bottled water, and granola/energy bars are also a good idea.
Invest in a set of high-quality winter tires. Winter tires are designed to provide better traction, handling and braking performance on snow-covered, icy or slushy roads. Winter tires can improve your vehicle’s safety and handling during winter driving. Winter tires are an investment and MPI is here to help with our Winter Tire Program, which provides low-interest financing.
Window scrapers and winter tires are just part of your quest. Icy roads and unpredictable weather conditions demand adjustments to your driving:
SLOW DOWN and drive to conditions.
Practice gentle braking and master how to accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Give space and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Stay informed on weather forecasts and road conditions.
Leave for your destination earlier. Adjust your driving plans to avoid treacherous roads and consider postponing your journey if conditions are poor.
With the right tools, proper driving techniques and a cautious mindset, you can be ready to face the challenges of Manitoba winter roads.
Adjust your driving speed for winter conditions.
Speed limits are in place to reduce risk and are determined by a number of factors. When speed limits are set, they assume optimal driving conditions and good roads.
However, this is Manitoba. When winter hits, our driving conditions can look a little something like this:
No one is around to adjust speed limit signs as the snow falls and roads get icy. When driving on icy roads and in snowy conditions, going the speed limit is too fast.
Driving over the speed limit or going too fast for conditions is one of the most reported factors associated with fatal crashes on Manitoba roads.
Adjust your driving to winter conditions. Slow down.
Even if it’s one or two, you know what to do!
Plan a safe ride home.
Keep the spirit of the holiday season merry and bright. However you celebrate, whether it’s with Friendsmas, an office holiday party or feats of strength around the Festivus pole, if drinks are served, plan ahead to get home safely.
Sirens ring. Are you listening?
If you are pulled over by police and found to be under the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit, you can still be considered impaired.
For example, if your BAC is found to between .05 and .079 (the legal limit being .08), you register as a ‘warn’ with police and will face a number of penalties, including fines and suspensions.
The risks and consequences of driving impaired, even after just one or two, aren’t worth it.
It’s beginning to look a lot like you’ve got options to get home safe.
While you could certainly walk home through Manitoba’s winter wonderland, you could also:
Call Operation Red Nose. The service is free, but all ride donations go a local community charity. Service is available in 10 communities. In Winnipeg, call 204-947-6673.
Pre-arrange a designated driver to guide you home.
Take out cash to cover the cost of a cab.
Download and use a ridesharing app.
Get familiar with public transportation and take a bus.
Plan an overnight stay.
Tis the season to be smart and stay safe.
Whatever you do, never drink and drive.
A life is riding on it
A motorcycle accelerates and brakes much faster than the average vehicle. A motorcyclist’s speed can be hard to assess. Motorcycle size means riders can easily blend into their surroundings, being particularly difficult to see turning left in intersections, on highways, or at night.
Look twice
When you’re behind the wheel, take a second look when changing lanes or turning, and be especially careful on highways. A motorcycle may be hidden in oncoming traffic and traveling faster than you think.
A second look only takes a few seconds, and it can save a life.
Keep our roads clear
Save your garbage for the trashcan. Littering, especially on highways, could have deadly implications for motorcyclists.
Safety tips for riders
Wearing proper safety gear can reduce injuries if you are involved in a collision. Wear an approved helmet, eye protection, visible and protective clothing, and boots.
Ride defensively, especially at dawn and dusk due to wildlife and reduced visibility.
Ride with the flow of traffic and where you can see other drivers and they can see you. Never ride in other motorists’ blind spots.
Always maintain a ‘bubble of safety’. Use a four-second following distance when following another vehicle (more if driving conditions are not ideal).
Ride in a predictable manner. Don’t zigzag in and out of traffic.
Always move into position well ahead of an intersection so that other road users know you are not going to turn.
Never cut between lanes of traffic to pass.
Congested traffic is a common occurrence when a lane is closed due to construction. Zipper merging means using both lanes until reaching a defined merge point. It’s a more efficient and safe way to keep traffic flowing.
A common misconception is that all vehicles should be in the lane that isn’t closed. This just leads to traffic backing up at an even greater distance.
When approaching construction zones, continue to travel in your lane until you reach the barricade, waiting (ideally for just one car) to proceed in a let-one-drive-one pattern. This zipper like pattern means allowing one car to merge into the through lane between each car currently in the through lane. Drivers who are changing lanes must signal their intentions.
Don’t forget to give a wave of appreciation to the driver behind you.
Wait. Zip. Wave. Merge mindfully.
MPI’s video driving tips provide quick and clear lessons on the rules of the road and best practices for safe driving.
Keep right, except to pass Passing slower moving vehicles on a highway is a common occurrence. If you’re not passing, keep right. Occupying the left lane of a highway when you’re not passing may disrupt traffic flow, contributing to tailgating and frustrated drivers.
Remember – even when passing, it’s against the law to exceed the speed limit.
Looking for more driving tips? The 60-Second Driver video series provides tips on commonly asked questions about rules of road and driving techniques.
Every year, we strive to make our roads safer for Manitobans. Our road safety awareness campaigns address dangerous driving behaviours and aim to reduce fatalities on our roads.
