REGINA (April 26, 2002) — Saskatchewan Government Insurance announced plans to rate the safety performance of licenced drivers in the province and reduce insurance rates for those with the best performance.

SGI said toughly 55% of drivers in the province will see their insurance rates decline 5 to 7% after the first year of the program, called Safe Driver Recognition. It will take effect on July 1.

At the start of the program, all Saskatchewan motorists will be placed on a safety rating scale based on their driving record since 1995. Drivers with a good rating will get a break on their vehicle insurance to a maximum of 7%.

Certain incidents will cost drivers points on the safety rating scale, such as at-fault accidents and traffic-related Criminal Code convictions, like impaired driving. The more incidents a motorist has, the more demerit points they’ll receive and the higher fines they’ll pay. These fines will take the place of current driver’s licence surcharges and will be assessed immediately following an incident.

Drivers who start the program with a negative safety rating will not be eligible to receive a discount, but they will also not be charged any new fines for incidents that occurred before the program launch.

Drivers will begin to pay new fines once the program is in place. This will help offset the cost of discounts for safe drivers, SGI said.