Car Protest to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fhéis Saturday 13th October 2001 Well done to all who attended the car protest to the FF Ard Fhéis last Saturday. The protest looked great and we managed to launch the campaign at very successful public meetings in Tipperary and Galway on the run up to the protest. Below is a letter of protest from MIJAG that was handed in at the Ard Fhéis. To Whom It May Concern:- Department of Environment figures show that only 6% of those that drive regularly in Ireland are under 25 years of age compared to the European average of 14%. In a country with a poor public transport system, even worse weather and a large rural population, the need to drive a car has to be greater than anywhere in Europe. The low numbers of young people driving can only be explained by the prohibitive cost of motoring with the cost of car insurance being by far the main cost for young drivers. Young drivers as a group represent twice the average risk according to the Irish Insurance Federation. Research by Ray Fuller in Trinity College indicates that this is in keeping with international norms. Lack of experience is the main reason for this. The other big factor is the activities of "risk taking young males" who represent approximately 15% of the male population worldwide according to researchers. In other words with a small amount of experience and training the vast majority of young drivers both male and female soon represent the same safety risk on the road as the average driver. The risk takers are a problem for everyone and not just young drivers. However the experience of most young people when it comes to getting car insurance is very different from the average driver's. The average insurance premium in Ireland when last calculated was £480. The average for young drivers with their own policy is £2,311 or five times the average. Many young males under 20 can no longer get a quote. Many people who have clean driving records have the experience of paying more each year for insurance. The no claims bonus now counts for nothing. MIJAG was set up two years ago to represent young drivers and now has over 3,600 registered member's countrywide and has received 43,500 hits on its web site mijag.com. MIJAG believes that young drivers should be charged the average premium of £480 when they start to drive. They should be trained to drive and driving should be restricted for the first six months to allow for drivers to gain experience safely. The insurance premium should not increase for as long as there are no accidents caused by the driver. MIJAG believes in order to achieve this the government would have to tightly regulate the motor insurance industry just as it does health insurance. It may even have to set up a state run scheme especially for young drivers as the insurance industry has shown itself unwilling to date to act on the legitimate concerns of young drivers. MIJAG would like a meeting with Minister Noel Treacy who is responsible for this area in the Government and who to date has taken no action on this issue. Back Home