Driving on Closed Roads Will Soon Cost Offenders More

Source: Government of Manitoba News Release - October 25, 2022

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PRESENTS BILL 46 THAT WOULD AMEND HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT TO PROHIBIT DRIVING ON CLOSED ROADS

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New Offence to be Created in Response to Safety Concerns: Piwniuk

The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would create a new offence under the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit driving on closed roads, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today.

“Our government heard from RCMP leadership and their support for measures that promote road safety and stronger laws to help discourage motorists from the dangerous practice of accessing and driving on closed roads,” said Piwniuk. “Once enacted, Bill 46 will make this treacherous activity illegal, with offenders facing substantial fines, and making roads safer for everyone.”

Last winter’s severe weather, followed by spring flooding events, resulted in an unprecedented number of road closures across Manitoba. Individuals intentionally making decisions to drive on roads closed due to severe weather conditions, flooding, construction or other safety-related reasons put themselves and others at risk, including emergency responders, operators of snow-clearing equipment and roadway maintenance staff, the minister noted.

The new offence would allow law enforcement officers to issue traffic tickets and in the most serious incidents, the bill would allow for maximum fines of up to $5,000 for drivers of heavy vehicles and up to $2,000 for drivers of light vehicles such as cars, light trucks and SUVs.

The proposed amendments would bring Manitoba in line with other provinces including British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan, which have already made it an offence to drive on closed roads.