Saskatchewan Government Insurance is bringing in changes that will dole out bigger discounts for safe drivers and tougher penalties for speeders.
Drivers will lose points for all speeding convictions, excluding photo radar violations, when changes to SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition program come into effect Oct. 12. In some cases, the number of points a driver loses for a speeding infraction will increase.
Under the changes, the program’s safety rating scale will grow by one point a year for the next five years, from +20 to +25. Those with the safest driving records will earn discounts of up to 25 per cent when the scale tops out in 2020.
Fines will also double to $50 from $25 per point in the penalty zone of the scale. In addition, drivers found responsible for collisions will lose points based on the seriousness of the crash. Four points will be deducted for claim payouts under $700, while payouts exceeding $700 will result in a six-point deduction.
SGI president and CEO Andrew Cartmell says tougher consequences under the program should help speeders get the message to slow down. In 2014, 30 people were killed and 872 injured in 1,954 speed-related collisions in Saskatchewan.
The Crown insurance company began seeking feedback on the program from customers, stakeholders and employees in 2012. The review resulted in recommendations for bigger discounts and tougher penalties, which the government approved last year.
The Safe Driver Recognition program was introduced in 2002 to reward safe drivers and encourage risky drivers to change their behaviour.
