Manitoba eyes new rules for motorists around tow trucks, snowplows and cyclists – Winnipeg [Video]

Manitoba drivers could soon face new rules for driving near snowplows, tow trucks and cyclists.

A bill put before the legislature Monday would require motorists to keep at least 30 metres behind a snowplow or other winter maintenance vehicles while following it on lower-speed roads. On roads with a speed limit of more than 80 kilometres an hour, the minimum distance would be 100 metres.

The proposed law would also forbid drivers from passing a snowplow if the driver’s view of the road ahead is obscured by blowing snow or ice crystals, and would ban drivers from entering an intersection where there is a snowplow if doing so would interfere with operations.

The NDP government said the bill would make the rules more specific than the current Highway Traffic Act, which uses general terms such as “proceed with caution.”

“We’re working to clarify what is a safe distance,” Transportation Minister …