Road 'carnage' prevention scheme launched

Hibernian Group, the largest insurance company in Ireland, today launched a pilot scheme aimed at reducing what it called the "carnage" on Irish roads.

Under the scheme, entitled Ignition, young and inexperienced drivers will undergo a one-day training course designed to heighten awareness of the dangers involved in driving.

Drivers who volunteer stand to benefit from a saving of 20 per cent off their premiums - up to £800 per year, depending on their existing policy.

We believe it will make parents sleep easier at night Mr Gary Owens, managing director of Hibernian Group

A further 10 per cent reduction is available for motorists who agree not to drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and six a.m.

Ignitionis aimed particularly at the children of existing Hibernian policy-holders, with 1,000 places being offered initially, with a further 4,000 to be added from January 2002.

It is being run in conjunction with the British Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) at centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

To qualify, drivers must have held a full licence for less than five years, have a clean accident and criminal record and either own their own car or intend buying one of 1400 cc or less in the next six months.

The managing director of Hibernian, Mr Gary Owens, said today the initiative, which will cost £1 million, was a great "leap of faith" by the firm, who have traditionally avoided the young drivers market.

"We wish to create a culture of safe driving in this country, and are taking a huge leap of faith in trying to make a difference on our roads," he said. "We believe it will make parents sleep easier at night."

"This is a win-win situation for those that take part."

The company also plans to lobby the Government to swiftly implement its road safety strategy.

Mr Owens conceded, however, that there is no way to actually police the driving of those who volunteer for the restricted use bonus.

"We will have to rely on the goodwill of customers," he said, adding should these drivers have accidents between 11 p.m. and six a.m., they remain covered by insurance.

Mr Christopher Bullock, chief executive of the IAM, said he anticipated up to 90 per cent of those taking the course would be assessed as "low-risk" at the end of the session and qualify for lower premiums.

Mr Bullock added that in his experience, those who successfully completed the one-day course were 20 per cent less likely to have an accident.

Allowances will be made for the conditions on Irish roads, and Irish trainers will be employed at the centres.

Over 400 people were killed on Irish roads in 2000, which translates to about one death every 19 hours. The rate of fatalities in the State is almost double that of British motorists, with 11 deaths per 100,000 population last year.