Our family at Al Hattie Insurance and SGI are committed to safety on the roads this holidays season. SGI is involved in two initiatives that are focused on reducing accidents and injury on Saskatchewan roadways. Both Operation Red Nose and the new Photo Speed Enforcement locations are designed for this and automobile drivers in Saskatchewan should help spread the word about both.

Operation Red Nose:

From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, 2014, anyone who has been drinking and feels they are not able to drive home can call Operation Red Nose for a ride. Check operationrednose.com for the schedule in your area. A team of 3 volunteers - coordinated through the local Lions Clubs in the Battlefords, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, and the Queen City Kinsmen in Regina - will pick you up and drive you, in your own vehicle, to the destination of your choice. One volunteer drives your vehicle, a 2nd volunteer navigates and a 3rd volunteer follows in an escort vehicle to pick up the 2 volunteers once they drop you off.

While the service is free, donations are accepted and are then distributed to local youth and amateur sports initiatives in the participating city.

Impaired driving is among the leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan. If your city does not yet participate in Operation Red Nose, there are still many other options for getting home safely: take a cab, use public transit, stay the night, choose a designated driver, call a sober friend or family member, or contact another designated driving service. We also encourage other cities in Saskatchewan to take part in this initiative next year.

For Operation Red Nose service call:

The Battlefords - 306-446-2827 or 306-480-9876
Prince Albert - 306-763-6673
Saskatoon - 306-371-6693
Regina - 306-949-2400

Installation Work Underway At Photo Speed Enforcement Locations

Last week cameras and signs were being installed at photo speed enforcement locations around the province.

Cameras will be set up:

- Highway 12 at Martensville

- Saskatoon: Circle Drive and selected school zones

- Highway 1 east between the Pilot Butte turnoff and White City

- Regina: Ring Road and selected school zones

- Moose Jaw: school zones

"We will notify the public once the cameras are operational at these locations," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. " We want people to know when the cameras are live. Our goal with this pilot is zero tickets and zero crashes."

There will be a two-month warning period where drivers caught speeding will be mailed a warning instead of a ticket. Yellow informational signs will let drivers know they are approaching a photo-speed-enforced zone. Black-and-white regulatory signs will also be posted within the zone.

For more information about the two-year photo speed enforcement pilot, visit SGI's website at www.sgi.sk.ca.

All SGI Canada Home Pak, Mobile Pak, Tenant Pak, Condominium Unit Owner's Pak, and Prestige insurance policies have automatically been updated to include SGI's new Legal Expense Insurance. This new coverage comes at no extra fee and is now standard on all previously listed SGI Canada policies. Having one of these SGI Canada policies now covers you for:

Automatic Coverage for Legal Costs:

You will be automatically covered for lawyers fees (and other legal costs), for the following:

• Contract Disputes - arising from you buying or selling goods or obtaining services.
• Property Protection - pursuing a claim if a neighbor damages your property or interferes with the use of your land.

Free Legal Advice Hotline 1-855-953-1430

You will also have access to a free telephone legal advice helpline. There are limits to which disputes your insurance will pay for, but no limits on free advice from a lawyer, about any legal subject under the sun. Just ask!

What else might you be covered for?

Depending on which insurance policy you have, your legal costs may be covered for the following:

• disputes with an employer relating to employment contracts and severance;
• pursuing a claim for damages following an accident which causes your injury or death;
• responding to a tax audit/appealing a Canada Revenue Agency decision for personal tax returns;
• defending criminal charges laid against you arising from your work as an employee; and
• disputes relating to your purchase, sale, lease, rental and service of  an insured vehicle.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to call our office toll-free 1-888-450-2700 about this new coverage provided on SGI Canada policies.

Here is a practice test offered by SGI that every driver young and old should be able to pass. This test is mainly used as a study tool for young or new drivers, but see if you can pass it yoursef and maybe brush up on a couple rules of the road.

SGI Written Exam (Practice Test):

https://testdrivepractice.sgi.sk.ca/practice/exams

more info

As of June 19th, SGI will be using a new set of questions regarding your Vehicle Registration eligibility in Saskatchewan. They will be using different questions to determine residency within the province, and to gather more information on the use of vehicles (be it for passengar or commericial use). A more in depth series of questions will be required when using vehicles for commercial purposes, which will relate to the types of industry the vehicle will be used within.

Another new feature will be vehicles bought out of province may be eligible for a 28 day deferral from inspection if they have the proper documentation. Please call our office during operating hours for details on what specific documents will be required for your out of province vehicles being registered in Saskatchewan (888-450-2700).

Check out these humorous vintage SGI ads featuring NHL hockey players Brain Trottier and Clarke Gillies of the New York Islanders. Most of their safe driving tips still apply!