Insurers indicate need for levy to improve road safety

Insurance group FBD has asked the Government to use revenue from insurance premium levies to improve Ireland's worsening road safety record.

The firm has warned that penalty points alone will not be enough to reduce road crashes. Chairman Michael Berkeley was speaking to shareholders in Dublin on Wednesday, April 26th. He said that the 2 per cent levy on insurance premiums could be used to change people's attitudes.

“What needs to be brought about is a change of mindset by all motorists, especially young drivers, underpinned by adequate enforcement of the new and the old traffic laws," he said.

He stated that although initiatives to reduce claims had brought about a turnaround in insurance companies' performance and reformed Ireland's expensive claims regime, the Government should try to make road safety a 'critical national priority."