The provincial government plans to hand out fines to drivers who do not obey warning signs due to bad weather conditions, flooding or construction and drive on closed roads.
Bill 46, the Highway Traffic Amendment Act, was introduced by Transportation Minister Doyle Piwniuk during question period at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday.
It would impose fines of up to $2,000 or one year in jail for drivers of most private vehicles.
Furthermore, operators of buses and some larger vehicles could be on the hook for up to $5,000 or one year in jail.
Doyle Piwniuk says that the government is sending a message that people who drive on closed roads put others at risk.
“When it comes to police officers to paramedics, we want to make sure that people stay off the highways when they’re actually closed because it puts everybody else at risk, especially first responders,” Piwniuk adds.
In addition, employers could also be fined if a worker drives on a closed road.
