Topic: Road Safety

Didn’t see them? Look closely…

When you’re behind the wheel, watch carefully for people walking on roads or approaching a crosswalk, especially at night. Some pedestrians may blend into their surroundings, and others may not be paying attention to drivers or traffic controls.

As the one behind the wheel, it’s the driver’s responsibility to be extra careful.

Every month, an average of two pedestrians are killed on our roads. Here are some safety tips to help keep yourself and others safe.

For drivers

• Be on the lookout for people walking on the side of the road or about to cross the road.
• Slow down around crosswalks and school zones. Children are especially unpredictable – always be ready to stop quickly!
• Wait for a pedestrian to fully cross the road. Don’t proceed until the person walking is safely on the sidewalk.

For pedestrians

• Don’t blend in like Waldo. Dress to be easily seen, especially at night. Bright clothing, flashers and reflective gear will help drivers spot you.
• Use crosswalks whenever possible, no matter the time of day, and always look both ways before you cross the street.
• Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
• When at a crosswalk, don’t cross until lights are flashing and cars have come to a complete stop.
• No sidewalk? When there are no sidewalks available, walk facing traffic. This way you can see oncoming vehicles.

Walk safe, walk smart, and be easy to spot!

Whether on a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), following the rules and regulations of driving an off-road vehicle (ORV) will ensure a safe ride.

Driving areas

Roadways and shoulders

Operating an ORV on a roadway is strictly prohibited. Crossing a roadway is permitted within five metres of an intersection if you hold a valid driver’s licence. Only one ORV is allowed to cross a roadway, where permissible, at a time. The ORV must come to a complete stop and yield right-of-way to pedestrians and approaching traffic. If intersections are more than three kilometres apart, you may cross at any other point along the highway where you have a clear view of oncoming traffic.

Only ORVs with more than two wheels and being used for agricultural purposes are allowed to operate on the shoulder of a roadway. They must display slow-moving vehicle signs on the rear and must not be driven more than 40 km/h. To operate these vehicles on the shoulder, you must hold a valid driver’s licence and travel to the right of the roadway in the same direction as vehicle traffic. Operating an ORV on or across the median of a divided highway is prohibited.

Ditches

Operating an ORV in a ditch is allowed as long as you travel to the right of the roadway and shoulder in the same direction as adjacent vehicle traffic. However, four-wheel drive motor vehicles which can also be registered under The Highway Traffic Act and The Drivers and Vehicles Act are not permitted to operate in ditches.

Parking lots

An ORV can only be operated in a parking lot if it is used to access an ORV use area or to access the vehicle used to transport the ORV to the ORV use area.

Towing

An ORV cannot tow a trailer, sleigh, cutter, toboggan or other apparatus across a roadway if the towed vehicle is carrying a person. The exception to the law is if the person on the towed vehicle is non-ambulatory or the towed vehicle is disabled and needs a person to steer it.

Private land

You cannot operate an ORV:

• On privately owned land without permission of the owner/occupier.
• Within 30 metres of a dwelling between midnight and 7 a.m. unless the dwelling is on the operator’s own property, or the operator is an invited guest, or the dwelling is under the operator’s control.
• Within 30 metres of a playground or area set aside for recreational use, unless the area is fenced or the ORV is being used for maintenance or operation of the area.

Operating rules

• Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to operate ORVs unless supervised, accompanied by, and at all times, within clear view of a parent or a person who is at least 18 years old and authorized by the parent.
• Never drive an ORV while impaired by drugs or alcohol. The same impaired driving laws that apply to motor vehicles also apply to ORVs.
• All ORV operators and riders must wear properly fastened safety helmets unless the vehicle is equipped with rollover protection and the occupants are wearing securely fastened seat belts.
• Ensure the vehicle’s equipment is in good working order.

ATV safety

An ATV handles differently from motorcycles and cars. Learn the proper way of handling an ATV before using one. Learn more at Safety Services Manitoba and by watching this 60 Second Driver video.

Snowmobile safety

Safety Services Manitoba’s Snowmobile Operator’s Training Program emphasizes correct operating procedures and knowledge of snowmobile laws. You can learn more about snowmobile safety in this 60 Second Driver and by reading the rules below.

• Be prepared by knowing the local trail and weather conditions and drive safely according to these conditions. For Manitoba trail conditions, visit Snoman.
• Always be alert for potential danger as engine noise may impair your hearing.
• Reduce your accident risk by using groomed snowmobile trails. Purchase a Snopass for riding on Snoman’s groomed trails. Regular annual Snopasses and non-resident Snopasses can be purchased year-round anywhere Autopac is sold. Three-day and seven-day Snopasses are available online from the Manitoba elicensing website.

See additional information on snowmobile safety:

• International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
• Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO)
• Canadian Paedriatic Society – snowmobile safety
• Canada Safety Council

Mopeds and motorcycles share many of the same safety issues, although motorcycles have stronger engines and can travel faster:

• Moped: a two or three-wheeled vehicle with an engine that is not more than 50 cc and cannot exceed 50 km/h. Mopeds do not require a motorcycle licence and can be driven by anyone with a Class 5 driver’s licence in any stage of the Graduated Driver Licence program.
• Motorcycle: a two-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc and can travel faster than 50 km/h. You require a Class 6 licence to operate a motorcycle.

Equipment

• All standard equipment for a moped or motorcycle should be in working order. Correct size and weight of a motorcycle helps ensure safe operation.
• 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.
• Position of footpegs and handlebars should be comfortable and allow the ability to manipulate all controls easily and accurately.
• You should be able to lift your motorcycle upright if it falls over.
• The kill switch is particularly important on automatic scooters/mopeds. Turn your scooter or moped off with the kill switch every time so you know it works and you will instinctively know where it is located in an emergency. If the throttle sticks, it is critical that your kill switch is operational.
• Before you ride, conduct a safety check. Consult your owners’ manual on inspecting for wear and tear. Check for tire wear, brake cable fraying and electrical inspection.

Operation

• Conditions contributing to motorcycle crashes include driver distraction, driving while impaired, losing control speeding and following too closely.
• Ride defensively, especially at dawn and dusk due to reduced visibility.
• Sit in a position where your elbows are slightly bent when your hands are on the handle bars. Keep your back straight and lean slightly forward to reduce wind resistance.
• Hold the throttle with your wrist lowered, so you can easily reach the brake with your fingers.
• When moving, your feet should be level, firmly on the foot pegs and ready to use the foot controls at all times.

Starting a moped

• The most stable way to take your moped off the centre stand is to straddle it and push it forward with both hands on the handlebars, applying the brakes as required.
• Don’t start your vehicle until you have taken it off the stand and are in a seated position with both feet on the ground.
• If you have to kick start your vehicle or warm it up while it is on the centre stand, ensure that your use the straddle technique and apply the brakes as you roll it forward.
• Don’t push your vehicle while it is running. Your grip on the bars will naturally accelerate the bike, particularly if you stumble.
• If you must move your vehicle while it is running, straddle it and walk it while sitting on the seat.

Starting a motorcycle

• A controlled start requires smooth coordination of the clutch and throttle.
• You must be able to start, upshift and downshift without jerking the motorcycle or lugging the engine.
• When downshifting, pull in the clutch and slightly increase the engine speed.
• If the engine speed does not match the speed of the motorcycle, the rear wheel may skid when the clutch is released.

On the road

Lane Position

• Ride where you can see other traffic and where they can see you. Never ride in other motorists’ blind spots.
• Occupy your lane in a position that discourages drivers from moving alongside you.
• Stay near the centre of your lane, without riding on the centre strip between the two tire tracks, which may be slippery.
• Scan ahead for road hazards.
• Keep to the right side of your lane when approaching the crest of a hill or riding around corners.
• When riding on a multi-lane roadway, ride in the dominant position (the track that is closest to the line separating the lanes traveling in the same direction). This gives you an area you can manoeuver into, should you be forced out of the tire track that you are riding in. It also reduces the chance of another motorist boxing you in.
• Signal and shoulder check before changing from one traffic lane to another. When changing from one tire track to the next within the same lane, you must shoulder check and signal prior to moving.

Following

• Ride where the motorist ahead can see you in the rear view mirror.
• Use a four-second following distance when following another vehicle under ideal driving conditions.

Passing

• Always signal well in advance, even if moving from tire track to tire track.
• When passing parked cars on a street with marked lanes, ride in the left track of the passing lane and reduce your speed.
• When passing parked cars on residential streets, ride a reasonable distance (approx. 1.3 to 1.8 m) from the cars.
• If a vehicle is overtaking or passing you, keep in the left tire track.
• When meeting oncoming traffic, especially large vehicles, be prepared to move to the right of your lane to avoid air turbulence.

Intersections

Most collisions occur at intersections with vehicles making left turns or entering from side streets. To avoid a collision at an intersection:

• Look ahead, behind, left and right to assess an intersection for potential dangers.
• Be prepared to stop.
• Always move into position well ahead of the intersection so that other road users know you are not going to turn.
• If an oncoming driver wants to turn left, slow down and be ready to move to the left or right of your lane, whichever will give you more space.
• If a car is about to enter from the right side of the intersection, move to the left of your lane and be prepared to stop.
• If traffic is entering the intersection from both sides, stay in the left tire track in your lane to even out the space on either side, and be prepared to stop.
• Never cut between lanes of traffic to pass. There is no room to manoeuver and no way out should a door open in front of you or a vehicle change positions within the lane.

Hazards

All road users need to keep an eye out for hazards. Use caution when riding on slippery or uneven surfaces and loose material, and keep an eye out for debris, potholes and cracks.

When you’re on the road, you should be constantly scanning ahead looking for potential dangers. If you spot a hazard, slow down. At night or in poor riding conditions, be extremely cautious – spotting a hazard early and reacting calmly can help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Slippery surfaces

Slippery surfaces reduce friction between vehicles’ tires and road surface. Be careful of wet surfaces, oil slicks, snow and ice. If you cannot avoid riding on slippery surfaces:

• Reduce your speed and avoid sudden moves.
• Avoid puddles where possible, which can hide potholes or other hazards.
• Use brakes smoothly and gradually.
• Shift to a lower gear for better traction and release the clutch gradually.
• Watch for frost and black ice, which reduce traction drastically.

Loose material

Loose material such as sand, gravel, mud or leaves, may make paved roads slippery. When approaching loose material on a roadway:

• Reduce your speed and grip your handlebars firmly.
• Raise your body slightly off the seat for better balance and move slightly to the rear for better traction.
• Keep your arms and wrists loose to permit the front wheel to move a little.

Rough or uneven surfaces

Try to avoid crossing rough surfaces such as bumps, broken pavement or potholes. If you cannot avoid them:

• Keep as upright as possible and reduce speed.
• Stand up slightly on the foot pegs with your knees flexed to absorb the impact. Keep your arms relaxed and your head up.
• Riding over grated surfaces, as found on some bridges, may cause vibration and wandering back and forth. Don’t try to counter this movement, but keep your speed constant and ride straight across.
• Cross railway tracks at an angle of 45 degrees or more to eliminate the need for swerving.

Safety resources

It’s a good idea to take a safety course from Safety Services Manitoba. A comprehensive review of driving and safety rules for a moped or motorcycle is available in our Motorcycle Handbook. To learn more, see this 60 Second Driver video on motorcycle awareness

and this 60 Second Driver video on late motorcycle season.

The following rules and guidelines should be reviewed and adhered to, to ensure the safe use of motorized mobility aids.

Operation

As motorized mobility aids are intended to be operated on sidewalks, they do not require registration or insurance.

The Highway Traffic Act defines a motorized mobility aid as a device which is specifically manufactured or modified for operation by a physically handicapped person and which has:

• a maximum speed capability of not more than 15 km per hour
• a maximum width of not more than 81.2 centimetres
• a maximum mass of not more than 226 kilograms

Under The Highway Traffic Act, the same rules apply to mobility aid users as on-foot pedestrians:

• Mobility aids are intended to be operated on sidewalks, not roadways. If no sidewalk is available or passable, mobility aid users may travel on the left edge of the roadway or shoulder, facing traffic.
• If required to ride on the roadway because a sidewalk is not available or passable, turn signals or hand signals are required to inform motorists of intentions.
• If riding in a group, always travel in single file.

Safety tips

• Carefully read and follow manufacturer instructions for safe operation and maintenance.
• Ride only at a speed that allows you to maintain full control at all times.
• Slow down and be cautious when passing pedestrians or crossing roadways.
• Plan ahead by checking weather forecasts and choosing a route with ideal conditions.
• Consider using safety gear such as a mirror, a helmet, headlamps and tail lamps, reflective strips, red reflectors and a retro-reflective flag placed well above head level.