Sharing the road and winter driving in Manitoba

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield correctly to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• You can pass a cyclist with enough room.
• You can stay out of a large truck's blind spots.
• You can stop correctly at a railway crossing.
• You can adjust your following distance and braking for ice, snow and gravel.

What you need to know and understand

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and it is illegal to pass a vehicle that has slowed or stopped for them.
• When passing a cyclist travelling in your direction, leave at least one metre.
• At a railway crossing, stop at least five metres from the nearest rail in a restricted speed area and at least 15 metres elsewhere.
• Trains always have the right-of-way, and you must not shift gears while crossing tracks.
• Use at least a four-second following distance in ideal conditions and at least six seconds on gravel.
• Headlights are required from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, and whenever visibility drops to 60 metres.

People on foot and on bikes

Unmarked crosswalks exist at intersections wherever a sidewalk would continue across the road. Stop for anyone crossing, and wait until they have reached the other side or the median of a divided road. If someone raises a white cane, stop and let them cross.

Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. Yield to oncoming cyclists when turning left, and to cyclists on your right when turning right. Look before opening your door, dim your lights for oncoming cyclists at night, and change lanes if needed to give the one-metre gap.

Big vehicles, trains and farm machinery

• Trucks have large No-Zones behind, beside and in front. If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, they cannot see you.
• After passing a truck, wait until you can see the whole cab in your mirror before moving back in.
• Never squeeze between a right-turning truck and the curb; trucks often swing wide.
• Do not drive onto a railway crossing unless there is room to clear it on the other side.
• Farm equipment can travel at no more than 40 km/h and may fill more than half the road. Slow down early and judge its width before passing.

Wildlife, winter and gravel

MPI reports about 10,000 animal-vehicle collisions a year in Manitoba, many involving deer, which are most active in the fall from sunset to midnight and just after sunrise. If an animal is in your path, brake firmly and avoid swerving. If hitting a very large animal such as a moose cannot be avoided, duck below the windshield. Around horses, do not use your horn and pass slowly and wide.

On ice and snow, start gently and test your brakes. With anti-lock brakes, press firmly and hold; without them, use steady pressure without locking the wheels. Keep windows clear and lights on. On gravel, slow down, avoid sudden steering and braking, and stay at least six seconds back. If your wheels drop off the edge, ease off the gas and steer back gradually rather than jerking the wheel.

Common mistakes

• Passing a car stopped at a crosswalk. It may be stopped for a pedestrian you cannot see.
• Brushing past cyclists with less than a metre to spare.
• Swerving for a deer and rolling the vehicle. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.
• Keeping summer following distances on winter roads.

Test yourself: Sharing the road and winter driving in Manitoba

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Sharing Manitoba Roads
• Manitoba Winter Driving
• Manitoba road signs test study guide