Manitoba Public Insurance

Driving Tips > The 60-Second Driver

Parking Woes

Driving your car is one thing--parking it is another.

Winnipeggers pay the city thousands of dollars in parking fines each year. Here's a list of some of the places where it's illegal to park:p

On a sidewalk
Across the entrance to any driveway, back lane or intersection
Within 3m from the point on the curb or edge of the roadway immediately opposite a fire hydrant
On a crosswalk or within 3m of a crosswalk
Within 15m of a pedestrian corridor
Within 9m of a stop sign or other traffic sign or signal posted at an intersection
Within 30m of the nearest rail of a railway crossing, unless otherwise posted
Within 6m of a driveway entrance to a fire station, unless otherwise posted
On a roadway beside another vehicle that is already parked (double parking)
At a curve on a highway outside a city, town or village, when the vehicle cannot be clearly seen from at least 60m in each direction

Parking on a hill

	If you’re parking uphill with a curb, the tires should be turned away from the curb. If the brakes release the car will roll backwards slightly and the left front wheel will hit the curb, preventing it from rolling into traffic.
	When parking downhill, where there is a curb, the tires should be turned toward the near side of the road. In this case, if the brakes release the vehicle will roll onto the shoulder or into the curb and not into traffic.
	When parking uphill without a curb, the tires should be turned toward the near side of the road. If the brakes release the car will roll backwards, the front end will swing out to the left, the vehicle will continue to roll onto the shoulder, and not into traffic.
	When parking downhill, where there is no curb, the tires should be turned toward the near side of the road. In this case, if the brakes release the vehicle will roll onto the shoulder and not into traffic.

It's also illegal to leave your car running unless you are warming it up or it's a delivery vehicle. And, always look for traffic before opening the door.

THE 60 SECOND DRIVER | SAFETY COLUMNS | SHAW TIPS