Road Authority hails new law
The Road Safety Authority has insisted that the crackdown on second provisional licence holders travelling without an accompanying qualified driver has proven to be a success.
Man awarded large sum after lorry accident
A trailer fitter who suffered injuries after the trailer of a lorry he was working on collapsed on him has been awarded a reputed 500,000 euros.
More job losses set for Insurance industry
Following on from the news that Hibernian is to lay off 520 workers in a relocation process, it has been reported that fellow insurance giant AXA is to get rid of 120 jobs from its office in Dublin.
Boy struck by van receives settlement
A boy who suffered severe injuries to his body when he was struck by a van over ten years ago has received a settlement of €250,000 from the High Court.
Industrial action for Hibernian
Hibernian Insurance looks set for industrial action after workers at the company’s Cork branch voted in favour of industrial action after it was revealed that 580 jobs would be lost, due to a relocation process.
Union takes on insurance giant
One of Ireland’s leading insurance companies, Hibernian faces stiff opposition for its proposed axing of 580 jobs as part of a relocation process to India.
Insurance company to cut 580 jobs
As part of a three-year restructuring programme, insurance giant Hibernian has announced that 580 jobs are to be lost here in this country.
New legislation for ‘write-offs’
Motor Insurance are to be forced to hand over all their records on car write-offs in a bid to stop them reappearing on the roads as a new legislation is set to be introduced.
Motor claims top the list
Motor accidents made up 72% of all personal injury claims last year, according to new figures released by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.
Gardai plan extra roadchecks
Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock has warned motorists that there will be an increased Garda presence on the roads over the Easter holiday period.
RSA Chief reveals plans
Road Safety Authority Chief Executive Noel Brett has revealed that by the end of the year every driving instructor in the country must be registered with the RSA.
Lenihan to crack down on boy racers
They are the scourge of Irish roads and hauliers have had to deal with them on a daily basis, but Justice Minister Brian Lenihan has revealed that there will be a crack down on boy racers.
Northern Ireland motorists admit speeding
Four out of 10 motorists in Northern Ireland admit to speeding on motorways, a government survey has established.
Dashboard diners focus of research
One in seven people who drive for work (15%) in the UK eat a meal at least once a week while driving, research revealed by national road safety charity Brake and Green Flag shows.
RSA wants roadside drug test
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has blamed the absence of a conclusive roadside drug test, for the relatively few convictions for drug driving.
High powered Dail committee focuses on road fatalities
The Oireachtas Committee on Transport has heard that most fatal road crashes in the last year occurred between 4pm and midnight.
New breath tester could saves lives
A new product – the Alcolock 500 - is now available that could help reduce the many alcohol-related fatalities and casualties that occur on the country’s roads every year.
Speed camera contract likely to fall by the wayside
Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has given the strongest hint yet that the proposed plan to introduce 600 privately ran speed cameras will not go ahead.
Nine out of 10 collisions down to driver error - RSA
Nearly nine out of 10 fatal and serious collisions in Ireland are down to driver error, the Roads Safety Authority, has claimed.
Byrne launches government attack over speed cameras
The chairman of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a blistering attack on the Government over the failure to roll out speed cameras across the country.
Continental unveils tyre pressure monitoring system
German tyremaker, Continental has developed a tyre pressure monitoring system for buses and trucks, which it claims improves safety and reduces emissions for commercial vehicles and provides significant cost savings.
Driving test debacle deepens
Driving test applications have soared by nearly 50 per cent since Transport Minister Noel Dempsey threatened to put unaccompanied “L” drivers off the road last October.
FTA issues corporate manslaughter advice
From 6 April 2008 new legislation in the UK will mean that companies, organisations and certain Government bodies face an unlimited fine if they are found to have caused a person’s death by gross failings in the corporate management of their duty of care.
Sleep disorder highlighted
One in 100 motorists unwittingly suffer a sleep disorder that could make them fall asleep at the wheel.
Department will move to plug licence loophole
The Department of Transport is to move to close a legal loophole that prevents gardai seizing driving licences from disqualified drivers.
Drivers demand dangerous speed humps be dumped
The Association of British Drivers has renewed its call for all speed humps to be removed from British roads after a speed hump caused a serious accident.
Foster proposes new NI drink drive limit
Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister has outlined proposals to reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving from 80mg to 50mg per 100 millilitres of blood.
Drink drive limit will be lowered
Transport Minister has confirmed that the drink drive limit will be lowered, pending an expert report from the Road Safety Authority, which is due in March.
RSA issues road safety warning
The Road Safety Authority is advising all road users to take extra care following a Severe Weather Alert from Met Eireann.
Government wants a 5 per cent cut in road deaths
The Government wants to reduce road deaths by 5 per cent to 2007, compared to last year, it has been revealed.
RSA issues driving advice
The Road Safety Authority has issued a list of tips for driving on frost and snow, in the wake of the most recent cold snap.
One in ten at-work drivers say they fall asleep at the wheel
One in ten people who drive for a living in the UK have admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the past year, according to new research by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag.
New road safety advertising campaign
Upwards on 185,000 speeding tickets, were issued by the Gardai in the first 11 months of the year.
Mobile phone ban pays dividends in the UK
The number of UK motorists using hand held mobile phones has fallen significantly, since the introduction on their use earlier this year.
Focus on morning after drivers
One in five "morning after" fatal road crashes is alcohol-related, according to new figures realeased by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
RSA launches annual anti-drink drive campaign
One in five fatal road crashes that happen between 6AM and 12 noon are alcohol related, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Young drivers don’t rate their peers’ driving
Driver research has shown that there is a significant variance between how young drivers view their own driving and how they would rate their peers efforts behind the wheel.
In vehicle monitoring could improve driver behaviour
A British company has developed a new in vehicle, monitoring system, which the manufacturers claim, will improve driving and reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
Alcolock 500 unveiled in UK
As the latest Christmas drink driving advertising campaign reminds everyone of their responsibilities when driving during the festive season, and the morning after, a new product, the Alcolock 500 has been unveiled in the UK.
Government side steps driver training issue
The Government’s new road safety strategy has side stepped the issue of driver training in schools, that’s the view of a leading road safety expert.
Dempsey defers no “L” driver rules
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey that holders of a second provisional licence will be allowed to continue driving unaccompanied until June 30th.
Drink drive limit to be slashed in new road safety strategy
The drink drive limit will be further reduced as part of the Government’s new road safety strategy, which will be unveiled in the coming days.
Pedestrians urged to make themselves visible
An Garda Siochana is urging pedestrians to make themselves as visible as possible, on the back of startling statistics, which show that more than 50 pedestrians have been killed on the roads so far this year.
MIBI makes submission to Department of Transport
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) in a submission to the Department of Transport has claimed that uninsured drivers are responsible for 20 deaths on the road annually as well 2,000 serious injuries.
NRA to launch motorway driving campaign
The National Roads Authority has claimed that Irish motorists aren’t used to driving on motorways and will have to learn how to drive safely on them.
RSA welcomes crash driver breath test move
The Road Safety Authority has welcomed the news that the Government is poised to bring in legislation that will lead to all crash drivers being breathalysed at the scene of an accident.
EU moves to harmonise road safety systems
A new law will improve road safety across the continent, according to the European Council of Ministers.
Insurance write offs on the road
An Garda Siochana, the Department of Transport, the Revenue Commissioners and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been launched an investigation into a claim that cars classed as total write-offs and unfit to drive again following road crashes have been put back on the road.
AA calls for driver training on school curriculum
The Automobile Association (AA) has called on the Government to put driver training and road safety on the school curriculum.
Commission launches secure truck stop pilot programme
The European Commission has launched a pilot project with a view to establishing secure truck parking sites on the trans-European network.
Mountrath bridge struck 17 times this year
The Irish Rail bridge on the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise has been struck 17 times since the beginning of the year, it has been confirmed.
Britain pledges further £2m for lorry road safety enforcement
An extra £2million a year will be dedicated to the British Government’s ongoing drive to enforce road safety law for hauliers, focusing particularly on those undertaking international journeys, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has confirmed.
Drivers risking their lives by neglecting tyre pressures
The largest ever tyre pressure survey in Britain has found that a majority of drivers are compromising safety, by driving on under inflated tyres.
Insurers call for drink drivers to be named and shamed
The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) is calling on Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, to publish details of all convicted drink-drivers.
Inquest jury calls for proper signage
An Inquest jury has recommended that proper road signage and traffic calming measures should be put in place in the vicinity playgrounds fronting out onto the public road.
Drink drivers face rehab programme
The Government is poised to introduce new legislation that result in convicted drink drivers having to under go an alcohol awareness rehab programme, before getting their licence back.
Tired driver survey unveils shocking findings
Three of out four drivers in the UK would put their trust in ineffective measures to combat tiredness such as opening a window or listening to the radio, a new survey has found.
RSA focuses on eyesight tests
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Specsavers Opticians are teaming up to vision screen hundreds of drivers and offer complimentary eye care advice throughout Ireland in the coming weeks in a bid to focus the nation on safer driving.
Penalty point notices pass half million mark
More than half a million motorists have been issued with penalty points, since the scheme introduction in November 2002.
Seat belt survey results published
The results of a nationwide Survey of Seatbelt Wearing on Irish roads which was conducted by the Road Safety Authority in 2006 have been published.
Volvo launches world-first technology to alert tired and distracted drivers
Studies show that up to 90 per cent of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction and, based on these high statistics.
AA calls for non-national driver file
The Automobile Association (AA) has called on the Government to introduce a new "non-national driver file" in a bid to improve road safety.
New safety initiative for students unveiled
The Health and Safety Authority has unveiled new module in workplace health and safety for students.
Penalty points will be transferable next year - Department
The Department of Transport has confirmed penalty points will be transferable from one jurisdiction to another next spring.
Sideswiping on UK motorways
Each year there are over 1,000 incidents of ‘sideswiping’ on Britain’s motorways when left-hand drive foreign lorries, with blind spots on their right-hand passenger side, move lane on motorways and fail to see another vehicle in the lane they are entering.
First Help line For Stressed-Out Motorists
AA Ireland and health insurer Vivas have launched what they say is the first ever help line for stressed-out motorists.
RSA wants truckers to comply with speed limits
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) wants nine out of 10 HGVs and buses to comply with the speed limits in urban areas, by 2011, under the terms of the Government’s recently launched road safety strategy.
Website provides list of speed traps
A website providing an interactive map of the sites of speed cameras dotted around the country.
Insurance profits have rocketed while premiums have barely dropped - Hogan
Insurance companies are guilty of gross negligence by maintaining high insurance premiums and high profitability at the expense of consumers, Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Phil Hogan TD has said.
Government must withdraw unconstitutional PIAB Bill - Creighton
Expert legal opinion suggests Government railroad of PIAB Bill is grossly irresponsible.
Road accidents claim eleven lives
In a black weekend for Irish roads, eleven lives were claimed in traffic accidents as the authorities pleaded with motorists to take care while travelling.
30 injured in bus crash
A private bus in Cork city centre crashed last night and injured 30 people, while gardai have launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident.
Fall from 4x4 kills man
A man in Co Louth has died as the result of a freak accident after he fell off the back of a 4x4 following an accident on earlier in the week.
Gilmore slams motor licence madness
The Labour party’s environment spokesman, Eamon Gilmore, has expressed his shock at figures just released which show that some older drivers could have renewed their provisional licence up to 30 times.
Dempsey handed transport role
Following the announcement of the new government on Thursday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has appointed experienced TD Noel Dempsey the position of Minister for Transport and Marine.
Insurance costs preventing young hauliers taking to the road
Hefty insurance premiums for drivers under the age of 25 mean the haulage industry is suffering from a lack of ’young blood’ choosing to follow a career in road transport.
Ireland bottom of league for ESC
Irish motorists are the least likely to drive cars fitted with Electronic Stability Control despite paying more than the European average price for their vehicles.
Roadsafe backs road safety campaign
RoadSafe, the UK road safety partnership of leading companies in the motor and transport industries, has welcomed the launch of the “Choose ESC !” campaign as a positive contribution to reducing the toll of vehicle deaths and serious injuries across the roads of Europe.
Safe and Sober
Volvo Trucks has launched a co-operative venture with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). Over a period of three years, the partners will conduct a campaign in Europe that goes by the name of ‘Safe & Sober’.
Volvo research into drowsy driving
Medical research indicates that the number of traffic fatalities – about 40,000 per year in Europe alone – could be drastically reduced if fewer road-users were subjected to drowsiness.
Penalty point co-operation hits snag
Plans to introduce a system for the mutual recognition of penalty points in Ireland and the UK have run into legal difficulties, according to Transport Minister, Martin Cullen.
EU calls for special drink driver limit for truckers
The European Union has called for the introduction of 20 mg drink drive limit for truck drivers in a bid to improve road safety.
Hay fever driving risk
The hay fever season is upon us and drivers could be putting themselves and other motorists at risk by driving under the influence of hay fever and allergy medication according to new research out today.
Road safety legislation to be tested in High Court
Road safety legislation brought in last year, which allow for tough new drink driver penalties, could face a legal challenge in the coming months.
Unlucky for some
It’s the day all those superstitious souls amongst us take that extra bit of care on the roads – or so you’d think!
Blind spot mirror call
A woman who was rammed by a German registered truck on the M20 motorway in England, has called for all trucks to be fitted with blind spot mirrors, as a matter of urgency.
Motorists support drink drive purge
Research conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has established that more than three-quarters of motorists In Ireland back tough new drink driving laws.
New road safety strategy delayed
The Government’s new road safety strategy is months behind schedule, because work on its formation hadn’t started when responsibility for it was handed over to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) last September, it has been revealed.
Gardai call for drug and drink testing at accident scenes
Gardai have called all drivers involved in traffic accidents be automatically tested for drink and drugs.
One in five drivers with penalty points
More than one in five drivers have now clocked up penalty points, new figures just released show.
“L” drivers face May 1 deadline
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed that from May 1 “L” drivers be tested under the new Rules of the Road booklet, which was published last month.
IAM issues traffic light warning
The Irish Advanced Motorists (IAM) is urging all motorists to exercise caution at traffic light controlled junctions, in a bid to improve road safety.
Cullen receives alcohol testing petition
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has received a 20,000-signature petition calling for the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing for all drivers involved in road accidents.
Tracker system proves its worth
Tracker, one of the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery system operators, led Rotherham police to a record haul of heroin and crack cocaine, a machine gun and ammunition recently.
Conference to focus on vehicle crime
Crime experts will be discussing the latest measures to tackle auto theft at next month’s National Vehicle Crime Conference in Warwickshire.
Motorists still flouting mobile phone ban
Upwards on 10,000 motorists have been caught using their mobile phone while driving, in the past six months.
Oil distributor fined for no insurance or HGV licence
An Omagh, Co. Tyrone based oil distributor who drove one of his lorries without insurance and HGV licence has been fined a total of £800 and had eight penalty points endorsed on his licence.
Hibernian to reduce insurance premium for DriveCam hauliers
Leading insurance company Hibernian, is poised to offer hauliers a 15 per cent discount on their premiums, if they sign up for its DriveCam initiative.
Mobile phone ban beginning to bite
The ban on using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is beginning to take effect on the back of news that upwards on 1,000 drivers a month are being caught by Gardai.
Driver training key
Driver training is the key to sustaining the road transport industry in Europe, according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
Technology based insurance
Specialist insurance broker Lloyd Latchford says its ’pay by how you drive’ deal is the first commercial fleet insurance scheme of its type in Europe.
Motorists urged to drive with extreme caution
Motorists are being urged to drive with extreme caution as Arctic conditions grip the country in the coming days.
One in five morning after crashes alcohol related
More than one in five of fatal road crashes that happen between 6am and 12 noon are alcohol related, a previously unpublished report from a Health Service Executive report has established.
McEntee calls for driving test overhaul
The Opposition has called for a complete overhaul of the driving test, following the news that waiting lists are getting longer.
New initiatives needed to stop carnage
Further initiatives are needed in 2007 if the decline in road deaths seen last year is to continue, according to the Road Safety Authority.
Harmonised Penalty Points In The Offing
The Irish and British governments are to look into the possibility of establishing a harmonised penalty points system in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain.
UK survey could be mirrored in Ireland
Thousands of young drivers will risk injuries and even death this Christmas by getting behind the wheel after taking illegal drugs, if the findings of a UK survey are mirrored in Ireland.
Box clever for safer motoring
The Irish Advanced Motorists (IAM) wants motorists to “box clever” this winter in a bid to improve road safety.
Drink driving arrests running at 400 per week
As many as 400 people a week are now being caught for drink driving, latest Garda figures have show.
ID scheme a big hit with Felixstowe hauliers
Upwards on 1,000 truck drivers have signed up to a new security initiative at Felixstowe port, since its introduction last year.
Motor insurance costs could fall by 50%
A leading member of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) says she believes that motor insurance costs could fall by a further 50%.
Northern drivers warned about bogus insurance firm
It has emerged that drivers in Northern Ireland may be driving with insurance which will not cover them if an accident happens.
Motorists boost insurance profits
Motorists accounted for just over half of the 802 million euros profit generated last year by the Irish insurance industry, new figures just released show.
Report
shows decrease in motor cost claims
The second report on Private Motor Insurance Statistics has showed
that claim costs per motor insurance policy in 2003 have fallen
significantly.
Research
indicates rising costs of running cars
A study published on Wednesday, June 28th has shown that motor insurance
premiums have fallen considerably for the third year in a row but
that fuel prices have increased the costs of keeping a car on the
road.
EU
to sue State over uninsured
The EU is taking Ireland to the highest court in Europe over its
failure to recompense uninsured drivers involved in accidents.
Motor
industry group cites VRT as big factor in purchase price
An Oireachtas Committee heard on Wednesday, May 31st that Government
tax on new cars was discouraging safety features being fitted.
Uninsured
drivers using internet for motor tax
Senator Joe O'Toole has told the Committee on Enterprise and Small
Business that uninsured motorists are using the internet to get
motor tax online.
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.
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VIVAS
Health once again puts its competitors to shame by offering
all members who join in April free travel insurance
VIVAS Health has once again demonstrated its commitment
to offering Irish consumers more with the announcement
of free annual worldwide travel insurance for all members
who sign up during the month of April
How
long must we wait?
Almost 18 months have passed since the Motor Insurance
Advisory Board (MIAB) published its hard-hitting report
into the motor insurance industry. John Loughran poses
the question: How much longer must we wait for meaningful
reductions in motor insurance premiums?
Spiralling
insurance premiums number one cause for concern
There are bleak times ahead for the road haulage industry
if the findings of a recent survey conducted by the
Irish Road Haulage Association reflect the mood within
the sector. Here John Loughran reviews the survey.
Light
at the end of the tunnel
There could be a light at the end of the tunnel for
embattled hauliers struggling to pay ever increasing
motor insurance premiums, thanks to an initiative from
road safety specialists, How’s my Driving Ltd and
leading insurer Hibernian, writes John Loughran.
Under
the spotlight
The spotlight of attention has finally focused on the
spiralling cost of commercial vehicle insurance with
the recent announcement that the Motor Insurance Advisory
Board is to hold an inquiry into the issue and present
its findings
to the Government, writes John Loughran.
A
little advice
The Fianna Fail / Progressive Democrat Coalition Government
is back in harness and will be guiding the fortunes
of the country and the road haulage industry for the
next five years. Here Gerry McMahon offers some salient
advice to Bertie and Mary and the troops
The
opposing view
Denis Naughten is Fine Gael's deputy spokesman on Public
Enterprise. He also has some outspoken views on the
insurance industry, road safety and the National Roads
Authority, John Loughran spoke with the haulage friendly
TD.
Young
drivers deliver letter of protest
Young motorists brought their campaign for cheaper car
insurance to the Fianna Fail Ardfheis in October when
they delivered a letter of protest to the Taoiseach
at the Citywest venue in Dublin.
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