Topic: Videos & Campaigns

It wouldn’t be a Manitoba summer without roadwork.

As construction projects ramp up, your drive may be impacted. Follow these tips to adjust to construction season and keep everyone safe.

Slow down. Speeding through construction sites endangers both workers and drivers.  Exceeding the posted speed limit is unsafe, and it can have severe consequences.

Keep in mind that speed fines double. The set fines for speeding over the posted speed limit are doubled in construction zones, regardless of whether workers are present. You may also move down the Driver Safety Rating scale, which affects how much you pay for your driver’s licence and vehicle registration.

Stay alert. Construction zones can be unpredictable. Watch for workers, equipment and changing road conditions. Keep enough space between you and the vehicle ahead of you and be ready to make a sudden stop.

Plan ahead. Know where road work is happening and plan your route to avoid delays and detours. This saves time and reduces stress.

Stay calm. Angry driving is unsafe driving. Remember – construction is temporary! Keeping a cool head behind the wheel ensures the safety of everyone.

Construction is essential to maintain and improve our roads. These zones are also someone’s workplace. Be prepared for delays, stay focused, and exercise patience to ensure smoother travels for everyone!

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. Never drink and drive.

Plan ahead to get home safely from the rink, friend’s house, restaurant, holiday party, or wherever drinks may be served. You can be under the legal blood alcohol concentration limit and still considered impaired. The risks and consequences of driving impaired just aren’t worth it.

Even third-party liability coverage can be denied in situations of impaired driving. See more information.

If you are drinking, even if it’s just one or two, plan a safe ride.

  1. Call Operation Red Nose to get you and your vehicle home safe. Spread some holiday cheer, as all ride donations go a local community charity. Service is available in 10 communities. In Winnipeg, call 204-947-6673.
  2. Pre-arrange a designated driver.
  3. Pack your wallet so you can cover the cost of a cab.
  4. Download and use a ridesharing app.
  5. Familiarize yourself with public transportation to grab a bus.
  6. Plan an overnight stay.

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.

View our 60-Second Driver videos.

We create campaigns to educate and build awareness for a variety of dangerous driving behaviours such as distracted driving, driving while impaired or speeding. These campaigns are conceptualized with unique messages and themes which pertain to each road safety issue. The main objectives are to save lives, reduce the number and severity of collisions on our roads, and shape the future for a new traffic safety culture in Manitoba.

Take a look at some of our recent education and awareness campaigns:

Plan a safe ride home

Even if it’s one or two, you know what to do. Plan a safe ride home.

Outsmart distraction

One of the biggest threats to the Manitoba driver is distracted driving. Focus on the road.

Slow down and drive for winter

No one is around to change speed limit signs when snow falls and roads get icy. Adjust your driving to winter conditions.

Drive baked, get burnt

Did you know drivers found guilty of drug-impaired driving face the same penalties as those convicted of alcohol-impaired driving? Driving high is a crime.

Conquer icy roads

From certified winter tires to trusty snow brushes, you need the right gear before you venture on any winter quest. Learn more about what you need to conquer winter.

My lane

Zipper merging means using both lanes until reaching a defined merge point. It’s a more efficient and safe way to keep traffic flowing. Share the road. Merge mindfully.

Look, so you can see

Drivers need to give their full attention to the road. One of the most dangerous (and most preventable) behaviours is using a hand-held electronic device while behind the wheel. When you’re behind the wheel, driving should be your only focus. Look, so you can see any oncoming dangers.

Keep your keys safe

Don’t make it easy for a thief to steal your vehicle. Protect your keys! Check out our Keep your Keys Safe campaign.

We all pay

Fraudulent claims add approximately $50 to your premium every year. Learn more by watching the We All Pay campaign videos.

Please watch for motorcycles

A life is riding on it. Looking twice for motorcycles takes two seconds, and it could save a life. Learn more about how drivers can help keep motorcycle riders safe.

Open a Claim