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Winnipeg Free Press
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Photo radar gets thumbs-up in CAA survey
Most Manitobans support the use of automated traffic cameras to enforce speed limits, new polling suggests. Sixty-five per cent of drivers recently surveyed for a CAA Manitoba poll said they support the use of automatic speed enforcement cameras. CAA Manitoba commissioned DIG Insights to conduct two polls — one on speeding and dangerous driving and the other on distracted driving — in March and February, respectively. JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS FILES The use of automated traffic cameras to curb speeding, particularly in school zones, is supported by most Manitobans, a recent survey suggests. 'Speeding continues to be a significant problem in Manitoba and according to our survey, automatic speed enforcement… can be part of the solution,' said Ewald Friesen, spokesperson for CAA Manitoba. 'Manitobans widely believe — 71 per cent of us — that (cameras) can help deter speeding and slow drivers down. There is also, generally, support for the use of (speed cameras).' He noted 80 per cent of those polled support the use of automated speed cameras near schools, in particular. Friesen said photo enforcement should accompany other tools to rein in speeders, such as signs that advise it's a photo-enforced area, traffic calming measures such as speed humps and education programs. 'We are of the opinion that photo radar should not be used as a revenue-generating tool; it should be used as a tool that slows people down on the roads,' said Friesen. 'Posted speed limits are there for a reason.' In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has criticized the use of automated speed cameras as a 'revenue source,' and is considering changes to how the devices are deployed. In Manitoba, there have been hints the provincial government will change legislation on photo enforcement. The Winnipeg Police Service has been pushing for years to get its antiquated equipment updated. The technology used in its cameras is obsolete. In a recent report to city council, the police service said 'progress' has been made on getting legislation changed to allow for the use of modern technology. Currently, Winnipeg is the only municipality in the province where photo radar is permitted. 'There is, of course, vocal and somewhat heated debate on the use of photo radar in the province. We understand this, obviously, but… there is support,' said Friesen. 'That struck us as something noteworthy.' Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. CAA's distracted driving poll found wide concern — 88 per cent of those polled — about the issue, while 46 per cent of those surveyed admitted to driving while distracted at times. Manitoba Public Insurance recently said distracted driving is the No. 1 cause of fatal collisions in the province, Friesen noted. The speeding and dangerous driving was conducted online March 7 to 19. It surveyed 500 Manitoba drivers 18 or older. Based on the sample size of n=500 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for that research is plus or minus three per cent. The firm's distracted driving survey was conducted online from Feb. 11 to 21 with 506 drivers. Based on the sample size of n=506 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for the distracted driving research is plus-or-minus three per cent. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Pembina Valley roadway earns dubious honour from CAA Manitoba
Ewald Friesen of CAA Manitoba unveils the 2025 Worst Roads list and how rural voices are shaping road repair priorities.
Global News
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
Rural Manitoba roads earn dubious honours in CAA Worst Roads campaign
CAA Manitoba has announced the 'winner' of its annual Worst Roads campaign, and the dubious honour goes to Provincial Trunk Highway 34 in the Central Plains/Pembina Valley area. This year, the auto club said Thursday, marks the first time nine of the top 10 worst roads — as selected by Manitoba drivers — are outside Winnipeg's city limits, with Saskatchewan Avenue as the lone road in the provincial capital making the list at number 10. Drivers cited frustration with potholes as a major reason for PTH 34's nomination, with poor maintenance, poor signage, and unpaved sections adding to the overall experience. These frustrations, CAA said, aren't new — the highway has appeared on six of the annual Worst Roads lists, but 2025 marks its first time atop the leaderboard. A crumbling section of Provincial Trunk Highway 34 in Central Plains — the 'winner' of Manitoba's Worst Road for 2025. CAA Manitoba CAA's Ewald Friesen said the goal of the annual campaign is to raise awareness about the condition of some roads across the province and to hopefully spur government action when it comes to road repairs. Story continues below advertisement 'The CAA Worst Roads campaign provides a powerful snapshot to governments on where to prioritize budgets and move up road repairs by giving Manitobans an opportunity to have their say on the difficulties they are experiencing in getting around,' Friesen said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We saw the proof of this when last year's winner, 18th Street in Brandon, received a swift and co-ordinated response from governments on the same day the results were released, with shovels in the ground by fall.' Friesen said this year's campaign saw a large increase in the number of nominees, with more than 700 roads across 86 municipalities getting the nod. Joining PTH 34 in first place and Winnipeg's Saskatchewan Avenue at number 10 are two highways in the Interlake (PR 234 and 239), Richmond Avenue and 26th Street in Brandon, PR 307 in the Whiteshell, PR 349 in Westman, PTH 12 in the Eastman area, and PTH 26, also in Central Plains.
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Highways to hell: province's worst roads
A Pembina Valley highway has earned the dubious distinction of being Manitoba's nastiest road in 2025. CAA's Worst Roads Campaign results revealed Highway 34, specifically the stretch between Holland and Gladstone, was Manitobans' No. 1 choice for its combination of jarring potholes, poor maintenance, bad signage and unpaved sections. It was the highway's sixth appearance as a finalist since CAA Manitoba began asking drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians to serve as judges in the far-from-beauty contest in 2012. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Potholes remain the worst culprits in why roadways rank poorly in the CAA surveys. This year's nomination period began March 18 and ended April 11. Ewald Friesen, CAA Manitoba's government relations manager, said the highway is one of nine rural roads that made the top — or bottom, really — 10 this year, a first. The lone Winnipeg street on the list was Saskatchewan Avenue, which made its seventh consecutive appearance. Winnipeg roads dominated last year's list, with six of the 10 finalists inside the Perimeter. But city drivers can usually find alternative routes. 'If you live in a rural part of this province, you depend on your road in a way that's a little bit more critical than any place else,' Friesen said. 'There are no other options if your road isn't passable.' A CAA Manitoba member-only survey in February found 96 per cent of 1,014 respondents were concerned about road conditions, he said. This year saw 723 different roads nominated, a 50 per cent spike compared to 2024's survey. Half of those that cracked the top 10 were first appearances. Friesen said past successes from surveys getting provincial and municipal governments to act on repairs have driven more people to vote. There were no available numbers on total voters, he said. Last year, Brandon's 18th Street was named the worst road in the province, getting a pledge from Premier Wab Kinew to get it repaired. Construction began last fall and is still under way. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. 'The government's co-ordinated and very swift response to the repair of 18th street has sort of empowered rural Manitobans,' said Friesen. Potholes were the leading sore spot for Manitobans when voting for the worst roads, he said. 'If your budget is already stretched and you're holding on to the car and you get vehicle damage as a result of bad roads, you're out the money,' he said. As the federal and provincial governments look to pull down inter-provincial trade barriers, Friesen said poor road conditions could also impact how effectively goods can be transported by truck. He's hopeful 2025's list will bring action from the province and municipalities to improve the situation.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
RCMP campaign targets drivers who don't slow, move over for first responders, tow trucks stopped on highways
The RCMP is launching a summer enforcement campaign to catch drivers who do not reduce their speed if they see a police car or tow truck responding to an incident ahead. 'That's our office space, so to speak — that's our workplace,' Sgt. Mark Hume told a news conference in a parking lot outside the Manitoba legislature Tuesday. Hume was joined by representatives from CAA Manitoba and the provincial government on the newly proclaimed 'Slow Down Move Over Day.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Sgt. Mark Hume said RCMP will be sending out multiple units to do highway patrols in the coming months to issue tickets and improve workplace safety. The event sought to raise awareness about related laws that aim to protect people who patrol and work on highways. Motorists are required to reduce their speed and switch lanes, when the latter is safe to do, to give first responders, including police, paramedics and firefighters, and tow operators as much space as possible. When the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or under, road users must slow to 40 km/h. Drivers are required to slow to 60 km/h on highways with higher limits. The base ticket is a $298 fine. That penalty is greater and may include jail time for motorists who also cause a collision or injury. These laws are generally under-enforced because there may only be one police car on a scene, Hume said. 'Quite often, the first officer that's doing the initial traffic stop can't just drop what he's doing and run and take off to the vehicle that's gone by him,' he said. The RCMP spokesman said the police force will be sending out multiple units to do highway patrols in the coming months to issue tickets and improve workplace safety. Motorists who come across an emergency responder on the shoulder of a two-lane highway are required to stop until they can safely continue via the furthest lane from it. 'Too many drivers take risks, and we want everyone to make it home at the end of the day,' Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor told reporters. RCMP and CAA Manitoba data suggest these rules, which date back to 2011, are not widely known. Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations at CAA Manitoba, said more public education is key to reduce hazards for tow operators and their colleagues. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. A recent survey of CAA members in Manitoba found 99 per cent of them support the 'Slow Down Move Over' legislation but just over half of respondents could offer a precise definition of what it entails. Naylor tabled Bill 38, which includes a slew of changes to the Highway Traffic Act, in the winter. It is now at the third reading stage. The proposed amendments would require motorists to leave at least 30 metres between them and a snowplow they are following. The minimum trailing distance would increase to 100 metres when the posted speed limit is upwards of 80 km/h. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
