Drivers across Winnipeg have raised concerns with CTV News recently over snow ruts on roads.
Some drivers blame the ruts for contributing to crashes, but Manitoba Public Insurance said responsibility still resides with motorists.
Kayla Hayden blames 10-inch-deep snow ruts for contributing to her mom’s car being hit twice by vehicles in one week.
In one case, a woman couldn’t control her car and hit the vehicle, said Hayden.
Her mother was legally parked at the time of the crash and was not at fault.
The woman who hit the vehicle said she spun out of control because of the ruts in the road, but MPI said that’s no excuse.
"The liability would fall on the operator of the vehicle - the driver. They must drive to the conditions of the road. So if you have icy roads, snow covered roads, rutted roads, you need to adjust your speed accordingly,” said Brian Smiley from MPI.
MPI said drivers found at fault will face deductibles and demerits, regardless of road conditions.
City of Winnipeg crews are set to launch into residential snow plowing Dec. 10 evening at 7 p.m.
Winnipegger Bruce Zeemel wants his roads plowed and sanded as soon as possible.
Vehicles have been regularly losing control and sliding into a snowbank near his driveway.
"It's glare ice, basically, on the streets and the few smaller ruts that you can't notice and they just spin the cars around,” he said.
People wanting to know where snow plowing is happening can check the Know Your Zone website or call 311 for information.
