We may purchase insurance to minimize the financial impact of events which disrupt the normal rhythm of our lives. Typically insurance contracts are purchased for our residence and vehicles.
Insurance companies are often involved in advocating change in society that will reduce the claims that are made against insurance policies. Policy holders are aware that increased claims will cause an increase in insurance premiums. Reducing claims benefits both the insurance company and the policyholder. As a consequence, involving insurance companies in campaigns for increased safety, proper operation, and harm mitigation is likely to be effective.
The Canadian Encyclopedia article reminds us of the War Measures Act that was invoked by Pierre Elliott Trudeau. The only use of the War Measures Act in a domestic crisis occurred in October and November 1970. A state of “apprehended insurrection” was officially declared to exist in Quebec as of 15 October 1970. Emergency regulations were proclaimed in response to two kidnappings by the terrorist group Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ). The FLQ had kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross and Quebec labour minister Pierre Laporte. Laporte was found dead on 17 October.1
The War Measures Act is currently an overreach in the Occupation of Ottawa and the blockage of vital international trade but some provincial jurisdictions have taken actions that will penalize participants as they try to continue to operate their vehicles and acquire the necessary insurance coverage. The Insurance Bureau of Canada advises that a Good Driving Record can reduce our premium.
License suspensions, parking tickets and convictions for driving offenses all add up to higher car insurance premiums. In fact, after being convicted of a driving offence, it can take up to 6 years for your record to be considered clean again by insurers. Over the years, building a consistently accident-and conviction-free driving record can help reduce your premium.2
Judy Trinh of CBC News reports that those involved with organizing the Ottawa protest include former RCMP and military officers.
Police have called those heavy trucks potential weapons, but they are also essential tools used to transport supplies such as two-by-fours to build shelters, firewood and burn barrels to keep protesters warm and propane tanks for barbecues. In the core, abandoned cars and trucks with their tires removed are blocking streets. To Michael Kempa, a University of Ottawa criminology professor,, the placement of these vehicles is not random but rather strategic in that they may prevent police infiltration… Residents have noticed protesters taking shifts getting into the cabs of idling trucks to blare air horns. The ear-piercing sound rang out at all hours, until a court injunction earlier this week forced a temporary pause.3
The nature of the occupation of Ottawa and the blocking of international trade routes certainly goes beyond the usage of vehicles likely considered when the insurance policies for these vehicles were established. It is time for enforcement officials to suspend licences, revoke vehicle permits, issue parking tickets, and initiate convictions for risking public safety.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment