In light of recent blizzard conditions resulting in closed highways, Manitoba RCMP is sharing some tips to hopefully keep people safe while driving this winter.
"Last Friday was an extremely busy day," says Sgt. Paul Manaigre, the Media Relations Officer with the Manitoba RCMP. "We actually responded to 77 reports of collisions, one of those was a fatality."
Manaigre says the whiteout conditions, along with the freezing rain to start, created problematic highway conditions within minutes.
"This storm was unique in how quickly it developed. I think a lot of people were on their way to work, thinking, conditions aren't too bad. It was the suddenness of the storm that contributed to a lot of these."
RCMP give a few tips for people who might find themselves in a blizzard condition in the future, including in potential pile-ups.
"When there's a collision, if it's nothing serious, people pull over and exchange particulars and go on your way. With this situation where it's a whiteout and you're involved in a collision and can't see three feet in front of you, the best thing to do is to go with what your gut tells you. If you think it's not safe to go outside, stay in your vehicle. Call for help, and then wait."
People who are involved in a crash or collision often have a lot of adrenaline coursing through their bodies right after.
"You need that time to gather yourself. You've got to get your heart rate down and take deep breaths to calm yourself down so your brain can function more properly."
The Decision to Close Highways During a Storm
During a winter storm, including blizzards, RCMP officers will assess the safety of the highways.
"We want boots on the ground type of assessments. These officers are out there, examining. We can't pend all day going to collisions, we see it's getting dangerous, that's when we'll make that decision to close the highway."
In June 2023, the province of Manitoba passed legislation in which it is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act to drive on a closed highway.
"Drivers are subject to a fine [if caught driving on a closed highway]," says Manaigre. "For smaller vehicles, the fine starts at $298. Commercial vehicles or larger vehicles, the fine goes up. Probably the more important concern is, if that highway is closed and there's bad conditions, emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance, will not put their personnel at risk if there's an emergency that you need to be helped with."
The RCMP also encourage people to take precautions if there are warnings and watches out, and prepare ahead of time.
"It's important to have that cell phone with you so you can make contact with either emergency personnel or even just friends and family. Hopefully they do have those emergency kits with them, including a heating source, food, water, because you could be stranded for hours."