It’s official – today is the most dangerous day of the year to drive on Irish roads.
The Hibernian Crash Report
- 20 December is the most dangerous day of the year on Irish roads
- Hibernian motor claims up 40% in week before Christmas
- 39% of those killed in 2004 were aged between 17 and 29
- 40% of Hibernian fatalities occurred at the weekend (midnight Friday to midnight Sunday)
- 35% occurred between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
It’s official – today is the most dangerous day of the year to drive on Irish roads. In four out of the last five years Hibernian Insurance received its highest number of motor insurance claims on 20 December.
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, the Hibernian Crash Report has identified 20 December as the worst day of the year for accidents on Irish roads*.
The Hibernian Crash Report is based on an in-depth analysis of the company’s claims data since 2000. The week before Christmas has consistently shown an increase of up to 40% in motor claims made to Hibernian**.
Bizarrely Christmas Day itself is actually the safest day 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 week 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 2004 39% of those killed were aged 17-29. This is above the EU average of 36%***. Another startling statistic is that 38% of Hibernian fatalities were aged over 50. This is well above the EU average of 27%.
Again it will come as no surprise that 35% of Hibernian’s fatal accidents occurred between the hours of 10pm and 6am, or that 40% 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 2004 and 2005 (up to 30 November 2005). According to the company, Wexford is the most dangerous county in which to drive a car, followed by the midland counties of Meath, Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Tipperary and Monaghan. The safest counties in which to drive are those with the largest urban populations, Dublin and Cork.
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-
* The Crash Report is compiled on the basis of Hibernian Insurance claims data 2000-2004, it is updated every six months. The first Hibernian Crash Report was issued on 3 June 2005 and is available on request.
** The 40% increase is based on comparisons with motor claims made during the first week of December, ie weather, hours of daylight and road conditions are all identical.
*** EU data sourced from European Commission Annual Statistical Report 2004.
Press contact:
Kela O’Riordan 01 617 8164/086 606 8842
kela.oriordan@hibernian.ie
Notes to editors:
- Hibernian is part of Aviva plc the world’s sixth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums
- Hibernian is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions
- Hibernian insures one in four Irish drivers – over 427,000 customers
- The Crash Report is available on pdf
- Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie