A driver is facing charges after allegedly fleeing from Winkler Police during an attempted traffic stop. According to Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt, officers were assisting the Altona Police Service in locating a vehicle believed to be heading toward Winkler. He says that police received information that the vehicle would be travelling southbound toward the city on Road 428. Officers located the vehicle north of Winkler and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. “They made a U-turn, tried to stop the vehicle, and it sped away from them,” said Hunt. Officers briefly lost track of the vehicle but located it again within Winkler and activated their emergency lights and sirens for a second attempt to stop the driver. “At that point, it sped up and fled away from the police again along First Street, going southbound,” Hunt said, noting the driver was “weaving through traffic.” Police were eventually able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The driver has since been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Related stories: Morden Fire helps remove driver, passenger from vehicle after icy collision Crash slows traffic at Winkler intersection What to do in the event of incoming sirens While the incident did not escalate into a high-speed pursuit, Hunt said situations involving fleeing drivers can create challenges for emergency responders navigating traffic. “We do always struggle a little bit with somebody that doesn't get over very quickly, or they’re not paying attention for one reason or another,” he said, “I think paramedics and the fire department also see that as well.” He reminded drivers that Manitoba traffic laws require motorists to move over and stop when emergency vehicles approach with lights and sirens activated. “It's important that if you see an emergency vehicle approaching from the rear, you pull over immediately, as soon as it's safe to do so, and come to a complete stop on the side of the road until the emergency vehicle is passed.” *with files from Robyn Wiebe