Manitoba proposes hiking fines for speeding in construction

[Deleted]

www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Manitoba-to-increase-fines-for-speeding-in-construction-zones-232085731.html

So here's another "hidden tax". Provincial tax increase to "protect the construction worker"....granted, we all want to protect our construction workers, just like our school kids.

But this is the line that pisses me off....

The additional fine would apply regardless of whether workers are present or equipment is being used in the construction zone.

So if I happen to be doing 70km on a stretch of hwy that is normally supposed to be 100km, and for 10-20km of that highway its marked "Max 60km" and there's just an orange "Construction Ahead" sign, on a quiet SATURDAY MORNING or SUNDAY EVENING when there's clearly NO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS around, I'm going to get a ticket.....

Two words for this: CASH GRAB!

Heaven forbid anyone go on record and suggest it's anything BUT a cash grab....who's going to go on record and be against saving the construction worker.

To me, the Prov Government is creating temporary & seasonal "toll zones" -- that's all this is achieving. Motorists will avoid construction zones if they can and more traffic accidents would occur on these alternate routes or in those stretches of hwy just prior to a construction zone when a motorist slams on the brakes to avoid getting a ticket.

[LTZ]

As long as the construction zones are properly signed to reflect the reduced speed etc evryone will have been given a fighting chance.

[hacky666]

To be honest, I don't think it'll help all that much.

I speak from a point of experience on the matter.

Last summer I spent a couple of months with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation on a seal coat crew and did some flagging with them, among other things.

During my short time there, I was almost hit twice and had two "close calls" with speeders, all this while wearing the new and "improved" level four coveralls. You all know, those puke coloured lime green things.

Most of the motorists I spoke to said that they really couldn't see me (or other flaggers) because the colour blended in with the background, especially early or late in the day when the sun was low on the horizon.

In most all "near misses" I was involved in, inattentiveness was a major contributing factor, as well as speed,(what appeared to be) alcohol and age.

Now bear in mind that all this occurred with proper signage; three sets of signs w/ two flags each, 200 m apart.

In my humblest of opinions, fines can't change and won't change poor driving habits.

[The Unknown Poster]

Ofcourse Cash Grab. The Police Chief has said he wants fines for "other distractions" while driving, not just using your cell. It's all about the money.