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Man using cellphone while driving
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How work expectations are contributing to distracted driving

May 3, 2022 by Jason Contant

Work-related pressures may be contributing to distracted driving, but having a workplace policy in place appears to be an effective way to mitigate the risk, suggests a new survey from Travelers Canada. The 2022 Travelers Canada Distracted Driving Risk Survey

Futuristic concept of infotainment system in vehicle
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Onboard vehicle tech becoming a safety issue, advocates say

January 17, 2022 Ian Bickis -THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – A driver sitting behind the wheel of a new vehicle could be scrolling through their Spotify app looking for the right album when they get an incoming call or text, only to have a warning bell go off

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Saskatchewan spotlights steep distracted-driving fines

December 2, 2021 Canadian Underwriter Staff

Five hundred and eighty dollars. And … four demerit points. That’s how much a first offence for using a cell phone while behind the wheel will cost a Saskatchewan driver, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) said as part of an October

News InsuranceLegislation / RegulationTechnology

Insurer ups distracted driving from minor to major conviction

July 6, 2021 by Greg Meckbach

Nova Scotia motorists could be out of luck when they try to renew their auto insurance if they got caught more than once using a hand-held gizmo when they should be paying attention to the road. In a ruling posted

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These highway features may encourage distracted driving

June 25, 2021 by Greg Meckbach

Medians and wide shoulders on highways could encourage distracted driving by giving drivers a false sense of security, transportation researchers suggest in a recent paper. “The combination and presence of a shoulder, median, higher speed limit, and extra lanes could

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Distracted driving behaviours that your clients deem to be “safe”

March 30, 2021 by Jason Contant

Auto insurers take note: the majority of your clients admit to engaging in distracted driving behaviours, but they consider these behaviours to be safe. The Third Annual Distracted Driving survey conducted by rate comparison site RATESDOTCA revealed that 74% of

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Smartphones are problems, but here’s how they can help reduce driving risk

January 22, 2021 by Adam Malik

This could be the year telematics driving data actually provides meaningful information — and change — to insurers and drivers alike, allowing risk to be underwritten more accurately, experts predict. To pull that off, smartphones will be a critical tool

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Insurers now treating distracted driving as ‘major’ conviction

November 27, 2020 by Greg Meckbach

In keeping with actions previously taken by Canada’s auto insurers, Northbridge General Insurance Company will start treating driving while using a hand-held communication device as a major conviction for the purpose of setting insurance rates in Nova Scotia. The change

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Preventing distracted driving is a top priority for brokers

October 1, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

Brokers are focused on preventing distracted driving, which is near the top of the agenda for the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). Kent Rowe, IBAC’s new president, told Canadian Underwriter that distracted driving is part of a nascent federal

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What the latest distracted driving numbers from Desjardins mean

September 24, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

Despite increased penalties for distracted driving, poll results released Tuesday by Canada’s second-largest auto insurer indicate even more motorists are engaging in this risky behaviour. More than half (53%) of respondents to a survey admit to having driven distracted by

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You know why the market is hardening – but do your clients?

August 26, 2019 by Adam Malik

Thanks to premium increases, a byproduct of a hardening insurance cycle, insurance professionals are facing an uphill battle in the eye of public opinion. That’s why Justin Thouin, co-founder and CEO at LowestRates.ca, wants to change how the general public

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How Travelers advises clients to mitigate auto risk

August 23, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

Do your commercial clients have a strict policy of not calling employees while they are driving? Many drivers who are distracted are actually workers who are travelling on behalf of their employers during the day, Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Gord