Car rear-ended on Perimeter Highway after it stops for geese

WINNIPEG — RCMP say a two vehicle crash on the Perimeter Highway this morning happened after an SUV came to a stop as geese were crossing the road.

Officers say an eastbound pickup pulling a utility trailer  rear-ended the SUV.

The collision happened just east of St. Mary’s Road on the Perimeter.

No one was hurt – but this type of the collision is on the rise.

Manitoba Public Insurance says in the last two and a half months, there have been 70 collisions involving geese, half of those are in Winnipeg.

RCMP say it’s that time of year where geese are travelling from place to place nesting.

Sgt. Paul Manaigre says in low speed areas it might be safe to stop, but in areas where the speed exceeds 100 kilometers an hour like the Perimeter Highway, Manaigre says if you’re going to avoid hitting the geese you need to give the motorist behind you lots of warning that you’re slowing down.

“It’s important you get their attention, braking, flash the brakes and if you’re coming to stop on a road where people aren’t expected to stop you may want to use your hazard lights to say, hey there’s a concern in front of me,” Manaigre said.

Not everyone agrees.

Some Winnipeggers we spoke to say if they see someone coming up fast behind them they’ll choose to go even if that means hitting a goose.

Hitting a 14 pound goose may cause damage to your car but a 6000 pound truck slamming into you could be life or death.