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Dec 06 - Ireland: Insurer warns drivers on Christmas week road carnage

Little change from last year’s Hibernian report.*

• As reported last year, 20 December is still one of the most dangerous days of the year on Irish roads** 
• Hibernian motor claims up 40% in run up to Christmas***
• 59% of Hibernian fatalities occurred Thursday to Saturday (the weekend now begins on Thursday for many)
• 38% of those killed in 2005 were aged between 17 and 29
• 44% were over 50 
• 36% of Hibernian collisions occurred between the hours of 10pm and 6am.

It’s official – today is still one of the most dangerous days of the year to drive on Irish roads. Hibernian has updated its claims data following a similar report last year that identified 20 December as one of the most dangerous days to drive on Irish roads.

December was the worst month overall for road collisions in 2005 and the picture is looking broadly similar for 2006.

With more people heading out in the car this week to shop, to partake in Christmas festivities and to join family and friends around the country, Hibernian has identified 20 December as consistently one of the worst days of the year for accidents on Irish roads.

Hibernian’s report is based on an in-depth analysis of the company’s claims data since 2000. The weeks before Christmas have consistently shown an increase of up to 40% in motor claims made to Hibernian.

Christmas Day and New Years Day are actually the safest days of the whole year to drive, with deserted roads helping to reduce the average number of daily claims by half.

Hibernian’s managing director Dick O’Driscoll said: “Obviously we receive more claims during winter months of darkness and poor weather conditions than we do during the summer. However, the huge jump in claims that we see in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Day is way beyond the norm. We would strongly urge people to take extreme care this week, especially on long journeys during hours of darkness.”

Not surprisingly young people have been identified by Hibernian as the most at risk group on the roads. Of all claims relating to fatal accidents made to Hibernian in 2005 38% of those killed were aged 17-29. (This is on a par with the EU average) Another startling statistic is that 44% of Hibernian fatalities were aged over 50. (This is well above the EU average of 27%).

Again it will come as no surprise that 36% of Hibernian’s fatal accidents occurred between the hours of 10pm and 6am, or that 55% occurred over weekends. The insurer’s experience tallies with what we understand to be true on a national basis.

Dick O’Driscoll added: “What has really shocked us in Hibernian however, is the fact that it is clear that speed was a factor in the majority of deaths of young people in the 17-29 age group. Not only that, but also most cars involved in these fatal accidents had three or more occupants in them. We are all aware of the stereotype – young male, speed, maybe alcohol, country road late at night – it’s when you see the stereotype reflected in bald statistics that it makes for particularly chilling reading.”

Hibernian has also made a county-by-county analysis of its claims data for 2005. According to the company, Cork is the most dangerous county in which to drive a car, with the highest number of fatalities, followed by Meath, Donegal and Dublin.

Hibernian has offered the following winter driving tips to those who intend making a journey in their car this week. They may be obvious but they are worth reiterating:

• If conditions are bad ask if your journey is really necessary. If it is, give yourself extra time and listen to the radio for details on road and weather conditions
• Clean your windscreen and all windows. Make sure your washer fluid is topped up and that it has a winter additive to stop it freezing
• Check that all lights, brake lights and indicators are working properly
• Ensure that your tyres are in good condition, with a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, and that they are at the correct pressure
• Ensure that all your passengers wear seatbelts, front and rear and that baby seats are securely anchored
• Watch your speed
• Never ever drink and drive.

-ends-

*All statistics are compiled on the basis of Hibernian Insurance claims data 2000-2005 (Hibernian insures one in four Irish drivers)

**20 December was the second highest day for claims in 2005; it was number one in 2004 and has featured in the top three for each year since we began assessing our claims data

*** The 40% increase is based on comparisons with motor claims on an average winter month after the Christmas rush

**** EU data sourced from European Commission Annual Statistical Report 2004

Media contact:
Kela O’Riordan, 01 898 8482, 086 606 8842, kela.oriordan@hibernian.ie

Notes to editors:

• Hibernian Group is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions.
• Hibernian Group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, the world’s fifth-largest insurance group and the UK’s largest insurance services provider (based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2005), and is one of the leading providers of life and pension products to Europe, with substantial positions in other markets around the world. Aviva employs 58,000 staff worldwide.
• Aviva’s principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of Ł35 billion and assets under management of Ł317 billion at 31 December 2005
• Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie