Featured Post from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: Speeding, traffic congestion top concerns in school zones as Manitoba students head back to class

Jan 11, 2024

3 min

Ewald Friesen



Winnipeg, MB, September 5, 2023 – As Manitoba students head back to class this week, parents say speeding and traffic congestion are their biggest worry when it comes to road safety near schools.


A recent study by CAA Manitoba, conducted by DIG insights*, shows that 94 per cent of parents have at least one concern about safety in school zones.


“We want to remind motorists that they need to be extra vigilant as students return to school this week,” says Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations, CAA Manitoba.


“Kids will be excited to see their friends and teachers and may fail to check their surroundings before stepping out onto the street.”


The top three concerns are drivers speeding (32 per cent), traffic congestion in and around school (30 per cent), and a lack of street/school parking (26 per cent).


Other concerns include illegal parking or stopping, jaywalkers, distracted pedestrians and drivers, and drivers not obeying traffic signs.


As a result of those concerns, many parents drive their children to school, further exacerbating traffic congestion, Friesen notes.


“While there are always parents who must drive their children to school, we do encourage parents and students to try other modes of transportation to get to class,” says Friesen.


“Things like walking, biking and skateboarding are great exercise and lots of fun, and fewer cars will help alleviate parents’ concerns.”


The study also showed that parents would like to see additional solutions.


About 26 per cent of parents want better road infrastructure in school zones and 21 per cent want to see more police enforcement.


More crossing guards and road safety education for parents and students was also suggested.


“Helping to keep school zones safe for everyone is the primary goal of CAA’s School Safety Patrol program,” says Friesen.


“Watch for our trained patrols in bright yellow-lime vests helping people safely cross the street.”


According to Stats Canada, there were about 183,000 students enrolled in about 700 K-12 schools across Manitoba in 2022.


Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers:

Drivers can also use the following CAA Manitoba tips to ensure they are staying safe in school zones.

  • Slow down: Know the speed limit in your neighbourhood’s school zones and respect them. Give yourself plenty of time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing.
  • Follow the rules of the road near school buses: Always stop for a stopped school bus with its upper flashing lights and stop arm activated, then wait for children to get safely on or off. Stay alert and watch for children or parents/guardians crossing the road when the bus moves on.
  • Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school: Follow your school’s rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe.
  • Make eye contact with pedestrians: With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle, so be sure to make eye contact with pedestrians crossing the road.
  • Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers: When travelling to and from school, watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers in their safety vests, as they play an important role in ensuring the roadway is safe before kids cross on their own.
  • Avoid fines: Passing another vehicle in a school zone is not permitted. Passing a bus with its lights flashing and stop sign activated will result in a $673 fine and five demerits. Speeding in school zone is a minimum $200 fine and two demerits.


* The study, commissioned by CCG and conducted by Dig Insights in May 2023, surveyed 613 Manitoba parents/guardians between the ages of 18 and 74 with children attending school from kindergarten to grade 8. The margin of error for a sample of this size is plus or minus 4% at the 95% confidence level.


Connect with:
Ewald Friesen

Ewald Friesen

Manager, Government and Community Relations

Ewald manages CAA's advocacy and community relations efforts in Manitoba.

Congestion ManagementSchool Zone SafetyRoad SafetyGovernment & Community RelationsPolicy Advocacy
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: Hamilton's Barton Street East is named CAA’s Worst Road in Ontario for a third time featured image

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Hamilton's Barton Street East is named CAA’s Worst Road in Ontario for a third time

Ontarians have spoken, and the 2026 CAA Worst Road in Ontario is Barton Street East in Hamilton. This year marks the third time Barton Street East has taken first place. The 2026 list reflects feedback from thousands of Ontarians who experience the province’s roads every day, highlighting the roads drivers say need urgent repair and calling on all levels of government to prioritize investments for safer infrastructure. “The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives Ontarians a voice and helps shine a light on the roads that need attention most,” says Brian Pirvu, government relations consultant for CAA South Central Ontario. “When people speak up, it helps drive action and ensures governments understand where investments are needed to keep communities safe and moving.” Four of this year’s Worst Roads are located in Toronto, underscoring ongoing challenges in some of the province’s busiest corridors. Across both the city and the province, road users commonly cited potholes, poor maintenance, and uneven surfaces as top concerns affecting safety and mobility. “Reliable infrastructure isn’t just about convenience; it’s about safety, affordability and quality of life,” says Pirvu. “Investing in roads helps reduce repair costs for drivers and ensures people can get where they need to go safely.” CAA’s annual Worst Roads campaign helps spark dialogue with municipal and provincial governments and prioritize infrastructure improvements where they are needed most. “CAA will continue to advocate for stable, predictable investment in road maintenance and long-term solutions to address Ontario’s growing infrastructure needs,” adds Pirvu. Ontario’s Top 10 Worst Roads for 2026 1. Barton Street East, Hamilton 2. Hurontario Street, Mississauga 3. Notre Dame Avenue, Greater Sudbury 4. Sider Road, Fort Erie 5. Steeles Avenue East, Toronto 6. Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto 7. Panache Lake Road, Greater Sudbury 8. Bathurst Street, Toronto 9. Unwin Avenue, Toronto 10. 6th Line, Innisfil Ontario’s Worst Roads by Region for 2026 • Toronto Region - Steeles Avenue East • Halton, Peel, York, Durham Region - Hurontario Street, Mississauga • Hamilton Region - Barton Street East • Ottawa Region - Carling Avenue • Central Region - 6th Line, Innisfil • Eastern Region - Leveque Road, South Frontenac • Western Region - Ira Needles Boulevard, Waterloo • Southwestern Region - Blackwell Sideroad, Sarnia • Niagara Region - Sider Road, Fort Erie • Northern Region - Notre Dame Avenue, Greater Sudbury The annual list is based on nominations submitted by Ontarians and provides decision-makers with a snapshot of public priorities. Roads that appear on the list often receive accelerated attention as governments respond to community feedback. The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) has verified Ontario's top 10 list and is a technical partner in the CAA Worst Roads advocacy campaign. "People across Ontario have spoken. The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives voice to residents who experience firsthand the impact that deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure have on our lives daily," says Nadia Todorova, executive director at RCCAO. "The results underscore the importance of sustained investment in state-of-good-repair infrastructure.” For more information and regional results, visit caaworstroads.com.

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 is Named the Worst Road in Manitoba for the Second Year in a Row featured image

2 min

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 is Named the Worst Road in Manitoba for the Second Year in a Row

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 (PTH 34) has been named Manitoba’s worst road for the second year in a row, according to the results of the 2026 CAA Worst Roads campaign. The Pembina Valley highway, located west of Winnipeg, has previously appeared on the provincial top ten list seven times, and this is the second consecutive year it has claimed the top spot. Manitobans who nominated PTH 34 did so because of potholes, poor maintenance, and uneven road surfaces. “The roads on this list reflect what Manitobans experience every day,” says Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “Manitobans want roads that are safe, reliable and properly maintained, whether they live in Winnipeg or in a rural community. This year, 711 roads across 69 municipalities were nominated for the top spot. The most common concerns cited were potholes, poor maintenance and uneven road surfaces. “This year’s list shows that road issues are not just a Winnipeg problem or a rural problem, they’re a Manitoba problem,” Friesen said. “There is an even split between rural and urban roads on the provincial list.” Many of the roads identified are major commuter, trade and connector routes relied on by families and businesses. As governments focus on inter-provincial trade, congestion in Winnipeg and critical road safety issues, investments in the roads and highways are more important than ever. “When key routes fall into disrepair, it affects more than just convenience,” Friesen said. “Vehicle repair costs go up, fuel efficiency goes down, and delays increase. That adds pressure to already stretched household budgets and affects our economy.” Repeated nominations often signal that communities want long-term solutions, not temporary fixes. Several roads that have appeared on past lists are now under construction, resurfaced or scheduled for rehabilitation. “We’ve seen that sustained public input makes a difference,” Friesen said. “The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives governments a clear snapshot of where funding and attention are wanted most.” CAA Manitoba is urging provincial and municipal governments to continue prioritizing predictable, year-over-year investment in road maintenance and safety. “Stable funding allows governments to plan ahead, address safety concerns earlier and avoid higher costs later,” Friesen said. “It’s about keeping people safe and keeping Manitoba moving.” Top 10 worst roads in Manitoba for 2026 Provincial Trunk Highway 34 — Central Plains/Pembina Valley Provincial Road 307 — Whiteshell Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90 — Winnipeg Saskatchewan Avenue — Winnipeg Richmond Avenue — Brandon Gateway Road — Winnipeg Leila Avenue — Winnipeg 1st Street — Brandon Provincial Road 422 — Pembina Valley St. Mary’s Road — Winnipeg For more information and historical results, please visit: https://www.caamanitoba.com/advocacy/government-relations/worst-roads

CAA warns drivers of emerging auto theft tactics that prey on the goodwill of drivers featured image

2 min

CAA warns drivers of emerging auto theft tactics that prey on the goodwill of drivers

CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is warning that car theft is becoming more sophisticated and more personal, with criminals now targeting drivers directly using a mix of distraction tactics and high-tech tools. Police services across Canada have recently warned of an increase in “distraction thefts” occurring in parking lots, shopping centres, and other busy areas. At the same time, thieves are continuing to use relay attacks and key-fob signal-interception technology to unlock and steal vehicles without physical force. CAA cautions that these tactics are now being used together, creating new risks for drivers. A New Combination of Tactics This emerging method involves criminals engaging drivers in brief interactions near their vehicle while simultaneously using electronic devices to capture or amplify key fob signals. As a result, key fob-related auto theft is no longer limited to driveways or overnight incidents. Close physical proximity between drivers, their key fobs, and their vehicles can be exploited. These thefts can occur quickly and subtly, often without the driver immediately realizing anything has happened. In some cases, drivers may later notice an alert that their vehicle key is missing. This is an early sign that something is wrong. “Today vehicle thieves are becoming increasingly calculated, using distraction tactics alongside electronic tools designed to intercept or relay key fob signals,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, CAA South Central Ontario. “A brief interaction in a parking lot can quickly become an opportunity for organized criminals to target both drivers and their vehicles. Public awareness and simple preventative measures remain some of the strongest tools drivers have to protect themselves.” How Drivers Can Protect Themselves With these evolving risks, CAA is encouraging drivers to stay alert and take proactive steps to reduce their vulnerability: Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas. Be cautious of unsolicited interactions near your vehicle, including: Persistent or unusual requests for help Offers of gifts or incentives. Requests that require you to stay near your vehicle or move closer to another vehicle. Trust your instincts—if something feels suspicious, disengage and move to a safer area. Lock your vehicle immediately after exiting and confirm it is secure. Store key fobs in RFID-blocking or Faraday pouches to prevent signal interception. Keep key fobs on your person; avoid leaving them in carts, purses, or exposed areas. Consider visible anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or two-factor authentication such as after-market engine immobilizers. Remove personal information from vehicles and clear saved home addresses in GPS systems. Report suspicious behaviour to local police. Raising Awareness Is Key CAA emphasizes that as auto theft tactics continue to evolve, awareness and vigilance are essential to reduce risk. Drivers are encouraged to remain mindful of their surroundings, particularly in public spaces, and to take simple precautions that can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a target of auto theft.

View all posts
Powered by