Winter is here, and with it come driving conditions that, at times, can be far less than ideal.
Last winter, there were 43,552 total collisions. 6,304 of those had careless driving as a contributing factor. Manitoba Public Insurance has noticed that some drivers struggle to change their driving habits to suit the change in driving conditions.
Speed, reduced visibility, following too closely, and sudden maneuvers such as accelerating too fast or hard braking are all reasons why Manitobans report more collisions in the winter months. However, the number one contributing factor to collisions remains the same all year round – careless driving.
Tara Seel is with MPI.
"Careless driving we see all year long. But in the winter months, it's particularly dangerous because you can't make those split-second adjustments that you need to if you don't have your full attention on the road," said Seel. "The ice comes into play, making your stopping distance longer. Packed snow is an issue as well."
Some tips to stay safe on the roads this winter: have an emergency kit in the vehicle in case you get stranded. Brake sooner, and drive smoothly.
"You want to leave more distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you," ended Seel. "People still commonly use cruise control during the winter months, and we recommend that you don't do that. Clear snow and ice from your vehicle, including the wheel well."
Now that winter has hit the province, if all drivers change their driving behaviours to suit the conditions, the risk of collisions goes down for everyone, helping more people get home safely.
