Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo. M50 in Dublin Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

There were an extra 14,000 uninsured vehicles on Irish roads last year

MIBI said the figures show an urgent need for an automatic number plate recognition system.

THE NUMBER OF uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads rose to 164,773 last year, an increase of 13,863 from 2018.

That’s according to new figures released today by the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).

Its statistics said that 7.58% of the almost 2.2 million private vehicles in use in Ireland were uninsured, up from 7.16% in 2018. 

MIBI – a body set up for the purposes of compensating victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles – said these statistics show an urgent need for the implementation of a motor third-party liability database.

This would support an automatic number plate recognition system that would allow gardaí to identify uninsured vehicles by scanning their licence plate.

It said it was working with An Garda Síochána, the government and the insurance companies to bring in this system.

“A jump of almost 14,000 uninsured vehicles in a single year is a statistic that should worry every single Irish road user,” MIBI chief exectutive David Fitzgerald said.

“Uninsured drivers are a threat to road safety for the law-abiding majority of private vehicle drivers, making Irish roads less safe and a lot more hazardous.”

Fitzgerald said such a number plate recognition system is already up and running on a trial basis, and he said it’s understood it has had a “tremendous impact” based on advice from An Garda Síochána. 

He added he was concerned that “with the economy facing a difficult period”, there may be a further increase in uninsured driving on Irish roads. 

All vehicles on the roads need valid motor insurance. Any vehicle found to not have valid insurance can be seized on the spot by gardaí with the driver facing a court appearance, five penalty points and a fine.

MIBI said it also pursued the driver for costs in the case of accidents involving uninsured vehicles. The average costs involved in such an accident can exceed €50,000, it said.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
56 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Horan
    Favourite Anthony Horan
    Report
    Jul 11th 2020, 7:36 AM

    I work close to Slice and to anyone here who is close to it or would like to go a little out of their way for a high quality lunch, I would thoroughly recommend a visit. The food is great with top ingredients and a lovely twist that lets you know that the chef is really thinking about flavour and texture

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bingobango
    Favourite Bingobango
    Report
    Jul 11th 2020, 9:09 AM

    SLICE is beautiful little cafe, gorgeous food with the best of local ingredients. Great atmosphere and the finest coffees and treats. It’s good to see small local businesses diversifying during these strange times and best of luck to them getting back to normal in the future.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louise O'Brien
    Favourite Louise O'Brien
    Report
    Jul 11th 2020, 9:55 AM

    The Cake Cafe made a magnificent birthday cake for my mum during the lockdown, the whole family are still raving about it. Can’t wait to go for a bite to eat now they’ve reopened…

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Morrisey
    Favourite Mary Morrisey
    Report
    Jul 11th 2020, 3:35 PM

    This is breakfast tomorrow.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds