Do You Have These Dangerous Driving Habits?

Modern cars are safer than ever before, but along with high-tech advances in automobiles, electronic doodads, and gizmos can also be a distraction. Combined with other risky driving habits, the chances of having an auto accident can increase substantially.
 
Distracted driving: Drivers using cell phones for texting or other messaging applications are up to eight times as likely to be involved in an automobile accident. Talking on the cell phone makes accidents four times as likely than non- distracted driving.
 
Over 25% of fatal crashes in some parts of Canada involved distracted drivers, with police across Canada saying that distracted driving causes more collisions than impaired drivers. Even texting at red lights can be risky business because it takes your focus off the road and the traffic around you.
 
Speeding: The warm weather tends to bring out our need for speed, with over 60% of Canadians admitting to catching themselves speeding in the warmer months according to a recent insurance survey.
 
About 800 Canadian fatalities are reported each year with another 3,000 injuries reported due to collisions which involve speed as the major contributing factor. It seems obvious but going faster gives us less time to react to road changes or unexpected obstacles — and faster speeds create longer stopping distances. Studies estimate that 20% of auto accidents are due to vehicle speed.
 
Driving when fatigued: Driver fatigue is is another leading factor in auto accidents across Canada, with fatigue contributing to more than one in five collisions, making it one of the leading causes of automotive deaths. The effects of fatigue can be similar to intoxication, affecting concentration, reflexes, and impairing our ability to process information from the surrounding environment.
 
Technology in some newer vehicles can alert drivers when sensors detect that the driver is becoming drowsy. However, in most cases, we don't need technology to beep at us to tell us when we're tired. The safest solution is to park the vehicle and rest.
 

Sharing the Road: Tips for Road Safety

We’ve all seen the joggers dressed in dark clothing, the cyclists darting out into the street from behind a parked car, and the drivers multitasking with their phones while driving. Can’t we all just get along and be safe together? Let’s face it. We all make questionable decisions sometimes – and that includes some decisions we make when sharing the road. Thinking things through and developing safe habits can help reduce the chance of accidents, injuries, or liability. The best apology is the one you never have to say.

Pedestrians and Joggers
Sometimes, having the right of way isn’t enough to keep you safe on the roadways. It helps to be proactive and be sure you’ll be noticed. Wearing brightly colored clothing makes you more visible on hazy days and light colored or reflective clothing will help you to be more visible at dusk or beyond.

Drivers aren’t the only ones guilty of being distracted by their phones. If you use your phone, stay aware of vehicles on the road or those pulling into driveways, and of course, when crossing streets. The safest way to use your phone when you’re out and about is to just glance at it occasionally or to stop someplace safe if you need to look at your phone for more than a moment.

Cyclists
Much like pedestrians, cyclists are vulnerable, and that vulnerability merits some extra caution. Before heading out, check your bike to be sure the reflectors are in place and visible. Blinking lights are available that can help you to be more visible to cars from further away. Reflective strips can be fitted to your helmet or gear, and much like joggers and pedestrians, bright or reflective clothing is recommended. For safety’s sake, you might choose to end your bike ride before dusk when visibility decreases even though it isn’t yet completely dark.

It’s best to think defensively and even to think like a driver. Try to leave room for cars to pass safely while also keeping yourself safe. When the road narrows or obstacles are in the way, like parked cars, often the safest solution is to yield and let the traffic pass.

Drivers
The biggest part of driving isn’t simply the mechanics of steering the car – it’s being aware of our surroundings and anticipating changes that can cause an accident or lead to an injury. Driving the car is the easy part. Minimize distractions by making phone calls and sending texts before you start driving or when you stop. Even Bluetooth phone conversations can be a distraction, taking our minds somewhere other than the road even as our hands remain free.

Be mindful of your following distance. Our hectic schedules sometimes have us pushing to get to the next appointment or commitment and it can show in our driving style by following other traffic too closely. The safety features of many modern cars can lull us into a sense of security, but physics haven’t changed. Cars are still heavy, and they can still take time to decelerate to prevent an accident.

Drivers aren’t the Kings and Queens of the road but they are larger than pedestrians and bicycles - and that size comes with some added responsibility. Dogs run into streets, kids chase balls into streets, cyclists swerve into roadways, sometimes to avoid an opening car door, and it’s all part of sharing the road.  Staying aware and ensuring you have enough time to react is the best way to share the roadway safely.

Understanding Your Life Insurance Payout Options

If you are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, you may be surprised to know you have options for how the life insurance is paid. Historically, life insurance has been paid out in a lump sum. Over the years, however, both financial advisors and policyholders have pushed for more options since a lump sum payment may not always be in the best financial interest of the beneficiary.  

Life Insurance Income Stream Payment
In a 2016 study, 40 percent of participants under the age of 40 reported that they would rather receive a life insurance policy payout in monthly installments instead of as a lump sum payment. This payment structure makes more sense for many beneficiaries when considering that 61 percent of policyholders say they buy insurance to replace lost income.
In response to this growing desire for “income stream” payments, many insurers offer various installment options.  

Life Income: This option allows the beneficiary to receive guaranteed payments over the remainder of his or her life.

Life Income with a Period Certain: This option is for beneficiaries that don’t want the insurance company to profit should they die early. For example, a life income payout with a 10-year period certain would guarantee that the beneficiary receives payments for life, or at least 10 years (whichever is longer). In the event the beneficiary dies within five years, a second beneficiary would be entitled to receive payments for the remaining five-year period. Other period certain options include five and 20 years.

Joint and Last Survivor Income: This option lets the beneficiary choose guaranteed payments over two or more lives. Under this structure, payments would be guaranteed until the last beneficiary dies. For example, if a husband elects this option for him and his wife, and then he dies after five years, his wife would continue to receive payments until she dies.

Specific Income: With this structure, the beneficiary has the ability to tell the insurer the specific schedule to follow for payments. In the event the beneficiary dies before the specific schedule ends, payments can continue to be made to a secondary beneficiary.   

Interest Income: A beneficiary can elect to only receive payments based on the interest earned from the death benefit. Once the beneficiary dies, the original death benefit can be paid to a second beneficiary.  

Of course, your individual financial situation will determine which of the above options is more appropriate for you. But, if you have questions about the specific amounts you could receive under each of these payout options, talk to your insurance broker.

Now Offering Mortgage Services!

Active Insurance & Financial Group is growing! You asked and we listened! 
 
We are happy to announce that we have partnered with The Mortgage Centre, one of Canada’s leading and most established mortgage brokerage networks, to offer our valued clients mortgage services. Mortgages are not a one size fits all solution – we’ll have Canada’s leading lenders compete for your mortgage, then we’ll provide unbiased advice so you get the mortgage that’s right for you.

WHY WORK WITH OUR TEAM OF MORTGAGE SPECIALISTS?

INDEPENDENT ADVICE. Because we provide mortgages from various lenders, you're not tied to one lender or one type of mortgage.

MORE MORTGAGE CHOICES. Through our Mortgage Market technology, we have electronic access to major lenders in Canada, so we're able to show you a wide range of rates and features available to you.

WE WORK HARD TO GET YOU A COMPETITIVE RATE BY LEVERAGING OUR WIDE LENDING NETWORK. Fast, convenient, local service. We are here to keep your mortgage moving forward. What's more, you're working with a local business person with ties to the communities where they do business.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE. Through training and certification, we have a good understanding of available products, features, and rates. We're also great at explaining the sometimes complex industry-specific language in everyday terms, so you know exactly what you're getting into.

REPUTABLE LENDERS. We deal with reputable and established Canadian financial institutions. Plus, we have access to mortgage specialist-only lenders who offer competitive rates and features that you may not find at your local financial institution.

CONTACT OUR SPECIALISTS TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A FREE MORTGAGE CHECK-UP!

Direct: 647-475-4739  
Email: mortgages@activefinancial.ca
Website: www.activeinsurance.ca

 WE ALSO SPECIALIZE IN:
● FIRST TIME BUYERS
● PURCHASES
● TRANSFER / SWITCHES
● REFINANCING
● DEBT CONSOLIDATION
● HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT
● EQUITY TAKE OUTS
● NEW TO CANADA
● BUSINESS FOR SELF / SELF-EMPLOYED /      STATED INCOME 
 
Diane Thompson
Mortgage Agent License #M08006052
 
In partnership with:
Joseph Trimboli
The Mortgage Centre - I direct Mortgages Inc.
Brokerage license number #10584