Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/556526
Enjoy Fall's Bounty Connect with Banff National Park on your own terms this fall. Visit a Parks Canada Visitor Centre to plan your scenic drive. parkscanada.gc.ca/banff parcscanada.gc.ca/banff Profitez de la splendeur de l'automne Cet automne, découvrez le parc national Banff à votre rythme. Rendez-vous à un centre d'accueil de Parcs Canada pour planifier votre promenade panoramique. PAYING THE PRICE How bad driving affects insurance rates e worst potential consequences of bad driv- ing are well known: collisions, and physical harm to drivers, passengers and others. Sec- ondary are hits to your driving record – a.k.a. demerits – and potential loss of your licence. But there's also a financial toll. That's because traffic violations and at-fault claims push up your insurance premiums. Three types of traffic violations impact your driving record, and therefore your rates. Traffic safety conviction. Things like speeding, stunting or failure to stop at a stop sign. Insurance companies may forgive one conviction, but the second can result in a 25% increase (rate increases vary by company). Serious traffic safety conviction. Infrac- tions such as speeding in a school zone or failing to stop for a peace officer. ese can result in increases of 25% after one convic- tion; up to 100% for subsequent convictions. Criminal code conviction. Examples include driving impaired by drugs or alcohol, and driv- ing without a licence. Premiums can increase from 60% to 300% for just one conviction. If you're at fault in a collision, your insur- ance premium will generally go up, too – regardless of whether you're convicted of anything under the Traffic Safety Act. An at- fault claim also affects your driving record, which is used to determine your rate. Remember: collectively, policyholders pay for the impact of bad driving, because insurance rates increase overall when the number of claims increases. So it's in every- one's interest – financial and otherwise – to drive safely. W greg gerla/maxx images F A L L 2 0 1 5 | W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A 47 DRIVING BASIC COURSE We can help you improve your driving skills or improve your driving record. Recognize aggressive driving behaviours – like cutting off other drivers or making rude gestures – and the hazards associated with aggressive driving in this two-part course. Online and classroom courses available. AMADriverEducation.ca Shave off up to three demerits from your driving record after successful completion of the Demerit Reduction Defensive Driver course, where you'll develop safe driving strategies. AMADriverEducation.ca Driving too fast? Pay your traffic fines at your nearest AMA centre. AMARegistries.ca