Winter road safety

If it is snowing or has snowed, you should expect to see our equipment on the road.

The flashing blue, or amber and blue, safety lighting on equipment makes it more visible. It also warns people that these vehicles are at work.

Always think safety-first when you're near heavy equipment. Crews need room to do their work. It's in everyone's best interest to Stay Back, Stay Safe.

Always remember:

• Drive to winter conditions
• Be patient
• Allow additional time to get where you're going
• Choose alternate routes where you don't see equipment working

New rules for drivers around winter maintenance vehicles

On January 1, 2026, new rules for drivers around snowplows and other winter maintenance vehicles, like graders and sanding trucks, came into effect under Manitoba's Highway Traffic Act. Under the new rules, when meeting or approaching a winter maintenance vehicle with its blue, or amber and blue, warning lights activated, drivers are required to:

• Stay back:
  • 30 metres if the speed limit is 80 km/h or less, or
  • 100 metres if the speed limit is more than 80 km/h.
• Not pass if it will interfere with the work being done or if the view is obstructed by blowing snow and ice.
• Proceed with caution when a winter maintenance vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction and give them plenty of space to work.
• Slow down, or stop if needed, before entering an intersection and don't proceed if doing so interferes with the work being done.

Additional snow safety tips

• Keep your headlights on. Snow clearing equipment often produces clouds of snow that may reduce visibility.
• Prepare to stop. Snow clearing equipment travels at much slower speeds than other vehicles. Operators stop frequently to assess their work. Freshly plowed streets can also be slippery. Drive to conditions and give yourself sufficient room to stop.
• Make eye contact. If you are unsure of what a heavy equipment operator is about to do, wait and make eye contact with the operator.
• Do not drive through windrows. You may get stuck in the snow and ice or scatter the snow and create a hazard for other motorists.
• When possible, park vehicles off-street (in locations such as driveways and parking lots). Vehicles parked on the roadway can make our work harder.
• Teach children to stay back from roads and sidewalks when they see plowing equipment.
• Move portable basketball and hockey nets, skateboard ramps, and other structures away from the street. This helps plowing equipment clear the area without causing damage.
• Put away garbage and recycling bins in a timely manner. Store them in a location that will not interfere with snow clearing.
• Keep privately owned trees along streets trimmed back.
• Check the weather forecast before travelling.
• Reduce speed. It takes longer to stop when conditions are poor.
• Turn off your radio and heating fans when approaching railway crossings. This helps you listen for trains.
• Look for railway warning signs and signals. Remember snow may cover train tracks at a crossing.
• Use winter tires.
• Leave the area of stalled or stuck vehicles. Once safe, immediately notify emergency responders by calling 911.