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MEDIA RELEASE: Voting for the CAA Manitoba Worst Roads campaign is now open to all Manitobans

Oct 18, 2022

4 min



Winnipeg, MB, March 9, 2022 – After a winter of straddling icy ruts, Manitobans will soon be playing ‘dodge the potholes’ this spring. Worried about your safety as a cyclist or pedestrian? Think a roadway is poorly designed? Voting is now open for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign and CAA Manitoba is giving everyone the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bad roads in their community.


“We are very proud to say that this annual advocacy campaign has influenced change for 10 years,” said Heather Mack, Manager, Government and Community Relations at CAA Manitoba. “As we kick off another year of the campaign, we are calling on all Manitobans to vote for their Worst Roads today and join the community of drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians committed to improving our roads.”

The campaign informs all levels of government which roadway improvements are top of mind for Manitobans, and where improvements could be prioritized. Manitobans can vote on issues ranging from congestion, potholes, poor road signs and the timing of traffic lights to pedestrian and cycling safety.


In 2021, four of the Top 5 Worst Roads were outside of Winnipeg, including Provincial Roads 307, 250, 450 and Trunk Highway 34.


“The key to economic recovery is the investment in roads and supporting infrastructure because when we invest in our roads, we also create jobs,” said Mack. “Throughout the pandemic, our roads have been the arteries used every day to keep essential workers, goods and services flowing. Now more than ever, funding for roadway improvements and proper infrastructure needs to be consistent to ensure that quality and safety is maintained for everyone.”


Potholes and poor road conditions are often the most common issues noted by road users and can cost motorists thousands of dollars in repairs when damage to vehicles is caused. The average cost of repairing pothole damage to a vehicle is more than $300, with some fixes topping $6,000 depending on the make and model of the car. According to the 2019 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card Spending, one dollar on pavement preservation may eliminate or delay spending $6-$10 on costly repairs later.


“As the inventory of vehicles continues to remain scarce due to the global semiconductor chip shortage, more people are now trying to hold on to their cars for longer. Not only can poor roads cause damage to vehicles but they also heavily contribute to the wear and tear of tires and increased fuel consumption which is why the maintenance and quality of our roadways is even more important than ever.”


Success stories over the last 10 years are a result of governments prioritizing infrastructure through multi-year capital investments. Some examples include:


Empress Street, Winnipeg

  • Empress Street was long in the top 10 for worst roads in Winnipeg, last appearing in 2019.
  • In 2021, the City of Winnipeg’s improvements for Empress Avenue were completed, including new pedestrian ramps on Portage Avenue and Empress, and a new bi-directional bike path stemming from the Assiniboine River.
  • St. James Coun. Scott Gillingham said he has wanted to see this project completed since he was first elected in 2014, saying “the residents told me many times that roads were the number one issue, specifically around the Polo Park area, so I'm glad to see this project completed.”

St. James Street, Winnipeg

  • St. James Street was often referred to as “driving on the moon” thanks to numerous potholes and poor patching jobs that rarely survived a season.
  • Add general congestion due to its proximity to Polo Park, and St. James Street also appeared several times on our list, last appearing as No. 6 in 2019.
  • Since 2017, major rehabilitation of St. James Street has been underway, including complete removal of some sections and intersections to be fully replaced. The work is expected to continue for 2022.


Nominations for CAA’s Worst Roads can be cast at caaworstroads.com until April 6. To encourage participants to act on their concerns, they will be entered to win a Grand Prize of a $500 Best Western gift card and $200 Ultimate Dining card; secondary prize of a $500 Olympia Ski and Cycle gift card, along with weekly draws for $50 Ultimate Dining cards.


Once voting is closed, CAA will compile a list of the 10 Worst Roads in Manitoba, along with the Worst Roads in regions across the province. The regional top five lists will help shine further light on the state of local roads in municipalities across Manitoba.

  

CAA will present the list of 2022 Worst Roads to local and provincial officials to help inform future funding and planning decisions. 


The top 10 CAA Worst Roads in Manitoba in 2021 were:  

1. Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg

2. Provincial Road 307

3. Provincial road 250

4. Provincial Road 450

5. Trunk Highway 34

6. Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg

7. St. James Street, Winnipeg

8. Sherwin Road, Winnipeg

9. Waller Avenue, Winnipeg

10. Empress Street, Winnipeg

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MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Study Sheds Light on Edible Cannabis and Collision Risk Among Young Drivers

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3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Survey Reveals Substance Use, Particularly Cannabis, is on the Rise Both Recreationally and Behind the Wheel

New findings from a recent survey conducted by CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) highlight a concerning trend: substance use, particularly cannabis, is on the rise both recreationally and behind the wheel. “Cannabis is more accessible than ever, and that means more Manitobans are not only choosing to drive after consuming it but are also getting behind the wheel soon after and expressing increased confidence in their ability to do so,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government & community relations for CAA Manitoba. The data shows that 24 per cent of drivers admitted to consuming cannabis before driving, which is up six per cent from last year, while ten per cent of Manitobans reported driving after consuming cannabis in the past few months, a three per cent increase from 2024. Among cannabis-impaired drivers, most (63 per cent) say they drove within three hours of consumption, which is up 10 per cent from last year. Over a third of cannabis-impaired drivers acknowledged feeling high while driving. In addition to the survey conducted by CAA MB, a recent study with funding support from CAA, conducted by the University of Saskatchewan, examined 50 drivers aged 19 to 30 to assess how consuming edible cannabis influences collision risk. This age group of young drivers, identified as having the highest crash rates and a greater tendency toward risky driving behaviour, offers new insights into the impact of cannabis on driving. Drivers often have a false sense of confidence when driving high. This study examined how consuming edible cannabis affects collision risk. Findings indicate that critical driving skills, including reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control, were impaired even shortly after consumption. Contrary to popular belief that cannabis edibles take hours to take effect, this study shows that impairment is evident 90 minutes after consumption. When asked if they felt safe to drive after consuming edibles, only four per cent felt safe getting behind the wheel 90 minutes after eating an edible cannabis product. What is interesting about this is that in a controlled environment, young drivers feel unsafe driving under the influence of cannabis. However, the study conducted by CAA MB shows that drivers often have a false sense of confidence when they have driven high in the past. “This study marks an important first step in understanding how cannabis edibles impact driving performance,” adds says Friesen. “Too often, decisions about whether someone is fit to drive are made in the moment, relying on judgment rather than evidence. Cannabis impairment studies like this are essential. Each one brings new learnings that help us refine our approach and ensure that safety is never left to chance.” According to CAA Manitoba’s data, more drivers have reported feeling confident in their driving ability (77 per cent), which is up ten per cent from 2024. More drivers this year (33 per cent) also say that they are unsure about how much cannabis is needed for effects to kick in, up six per cent from 2024. Alarmingly enough, more than half of Manitobans are unaware that the penalties associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances are the same. “Drivers may face enhanced roadside sanctions, including an administrative penalty of $700, vehicle impoundment, mandatory Ignition Interlock participation for one year, an impaired driver assessment and movement of 10 levels down the Driver Safety Rating scale,” says Friesen. “Depending on the severity of convictions, impaired drivers may be charged further under the Criminal Code of Canada.”  This holiday season, CAA Manitoba is asking that those who do consume cannabis, alcohol or other drugs to plan ahead by making alternate arrangements, such as a designated driver or using a rideshare service, to get home safely.   Methodology CAA MB The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from June 27 to July 14, 2025, with 514 Manitoba drivers aged 19 and older. Based on the sample size of n=514 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/- 3%.) Methodology of University of Saskatchewan study The study collected extensive data from 50 young adult drivers (aged 19–30), resulting in 250 assessments across multiple realistic driving scenarios using a simulator after consuming a 10mg THC edible.

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Winter Weather Arrives Ahead of Schedule: CAA, MTO, OPP, and Toronto Police Service team up to share winter road safety tips.

Ready or not, winter weather has decided to make an early cameo! So, the question is: are you actually ready for winter driving? CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and Toronto Police Service (TPS) have joined forces to encourage Ontario drivers to get ready now for the cold and snowy weather, before the next unexpected snow event hits. “Now is the ideal time for motorists to install winter tires, check their car battery, and ensure they have an emergency car kit packed,” says Nadia Matos, manager of external communications, CAA SCO. “These simple steps can help motorists confidently navigate winter roads. Ontario weather can be unpredictable, and snowstorms can hit without much notice, so it’s always best to ensure your vehicle is prepared beforehand.” Besides vehicle preparedness, driver behaviour is just as critical in ensuring safe driving operations in winter weather. “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Sergeant Murray Campbell of the Toronto Police Service. “As daylight hours shorten and visibility decreases, we encourage all road users to stay alert, watch out for one another, adjust their driving to match weather conditions, keep their vehicle lights on, and plan ahead to accommodate longer travel times.” This year, the organizations are focused on protecting motorists who may be caught in unexpected winter weather. “We always encourage motorists to drive according to the road and weather conditions,” says Sergeant Kerry Schmidt of the Ontario Provincial Police. “Drivers should also slow down and move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks with their emergency lights flashing while they are assisting vehicles and motorists in need of help. It is also unsafe and illegal to try to pass a full echelon of snowplows that are clearing all lanes of a highway during winter events.” Before heading out on the road this winter, MTO encourages motorists to download and use the 511 app to check the weather and road conditions before they leave home. The 511 app can be found at 511on.ca or in the app store on their mobile devices. For a safer trip this winter, motorists can also follow these additional safety tips: • Install winter tires for better traction. On cold and snowy roads, winter tires can help reduce your braking distance by up to 25 per cent. Members can call CAA before Dec. 20 to have our mobile tire service change them at home for a fee. • Test your car battery. If necessary, replace it before it fails. CAA SCO will test Members’ batteries free of cost during a service call. • Pack a fully stocked emergency car kit. The kit should include a flashlight, extra batteries, warning devices (e.g., flares, reflective vests/strips), a first aid kit, blankets, jumper cables, non-perishable food and water, and a phone charger. Be sure to always keep an ice scraper, small shovel, and snow brush handy in your car. • Service your vehicle. Have your brakes checked, oil changed, and top up your windshield washer fluid and any other fluids that are getting low. • Always keep your gas tank at least half full. Cold weather causes condensation in the system, which can lead to a fuel line freeze-up and prevent the car from starting. • Check your lighting system. Ensuring you have full lighting is very important in the winter months. Check your headlights and signal lights to ensure they work correctly.

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