Navigating gravel roads continues to be a learning curve for drivers of all ages and experience.

"Travelling on gravel roads presents its own set of unique challenges," MPI Spokesperson Brian Smiley says, adding it's easy to lose control, especially in the snow on gravel.

"Number one is reducing speed."

While speeds are dictated by the respective municipality and province, limits range from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.

In the R.M of Stanley, the speed limit is 90 km/h on gravel unless otherwise posted.

"Even the best maintained roads have rough patches and loose gravel," R.M of Stanley official says, adding rural roads can also be busy with larger trucks and farm machinery.

"The 90 km/h rural speed limit is for perfect conditions, which seldom exist on rural roads," he explains.

Gravel roads can be especially challenging for new drivers, "who may not be accustomed to how even small steering wheel movements can result in loss of control," says Ward Keith, VP Business Development and Communications and Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.

It's the reason MPI added specific gravel training to its high school driver education program this fall.

He notes the updated high school driver education program will expose all new teen drivers to both in-class instruction and practical on-road training on how to properly control their vehicle on gravel, and the importance of driving to road and weather conditions.

"The margin for error is razor thin when drivers make mistakes on a gravel surface," says Inspector Ed Moreland, Officer in Charge, RCMP Traffic Services Unit. "Much like ice, failure to adjust to conditions can have dire consequences."

The key remains reducing speed, "slow down and stay in the lanes, avoid passing if you can," he says, adding passing puts one at risk of crossing into loose gravel.

Drivers can also avoid losing control by driving in the tracks of other vehicles, while maintaining a distance between any vehicles ahead to prevent dust from obscuring vision.

If you do lose control, take your foot off the gas and look and steer in the direction you want to go. Do not make any sudden changes in direction or speed.

If you do feel yourself losing control, Smiley recommends taking your foot off the gas and steering into the direction you want to go, without making any sudden changes in direction or speed.

Finally, Smiley says seatbelts are always necessary. Occupants not wearing a seatbelt are 26 times more likely to be killed, and twice as likely to be seriously injured, in a collision than those using a seatbelt.