‘Slow down!’: MPI calls for more caution behind the wheel as winter begins

The snow is almost here, and as blizzards and flurries approach, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) and Safety Services Manitoba (SSM) are warning drivers about hazards and are calling for increased alertness on icy roads.

Over the last three years, MPI has seen an increase in accidents every winter month. The main cause of collisions is driving too fast for the road conditions.

Last winter, over 40,000 collisions happened from November through February in Manitoba. 6,000 of those were caused by careless driving.

“These numbers serve as an important reminder: winter demands a different mindset behind the wheel,” said Maria Campos, the vice-president & chief customer and product officer at MPI.

“Our winter driving presents unique risks: shorter days, colder temperatures, and rapidly changing road conditions.”

According to SSM, the spike in collisions comes during the first two weeks of winter, as drivers are not used to the changed road conditions.

“Winter roads demand respect. And while we can’t control the weather, we can control how we respond to it. Preparing your vehicle, adjusting your driving behaviour, and making safety a priority can prevent collisions, reduce injuries, and ultimately save lives,” said Terris Baran, the senior manager of road safety programming with SSM.

Switching to winter tires is not mandated in Manitoba, but MPI encourages everyone to install them.

Drivers are asked to prepare for snow and ice on the roads by checking their emergency kits, adjusting their driving behaviours by braking sooner, leaving more distance, and driving smoothly.

“Manitobans really need to recognize that when the conditions are not ideal, when the roads are icy and slippery, when your visibility may be reduced, because there’s lots of blowing snow that you really need to slow down and take some special care when you are travelling,” said Campos.