Press Release - 10/June/2000 Urgent Action Needed to Tackle Young Drivers Death Rate on the Road "The fact that car crashes are now the biggest killer of young men, is a deeply disturbing fact and needs to be tackled with much greater urgency" said Mick Murphy, the National Organiser of MIJAG - the Motor Insurance Justice Action Group. "We have called for the introduction of driver education and a penalty points system from the start of our campaign. We also argue for the Road To Safety Government strategy to be implemented. This strategy makes no specific reference to young drivers but is aimed at all drivers. We have a dreadful safety record on our roads amongst drivers of all ages" Mr Murphy added. Mr Murphy went on to say "The Government have very little credibility in the eyes of young drivers. Successive Governments have sat idly by and allowed a completely un-regulated motor insurance industry rip-off young drivers". The Irish Insurance Federation in a written reply to the MIJAG policy statement say "IIF statistics for 1993-1997 show that the claims cost for non-comprehensive insurance were 2.65 times higher for policyholders aged between 17-24 than those for over 30". The average insurance premium for all drivers is £480. Yet first time drivers from Tallaght pay £3,900 or over 10 times the average of over 30s for insurance. Most young male drivers pay between £2000 and £4000 and if they have an accident, regardless of whose fault it is, they are effectively put off the road by the insurance companies. Mr Murphy said "A majority of young male drivers have years of accident free driving and should not be penalised on the basis of their age. Due to the Community Rating System, regardless of how old you are, you cannot be penalised for health insurance in this country. The Government needs to deal with all aspects of young people driving. It would be a very good start if they were to tackle the insurance issue, and then proceed immediately to implement the other safety related programs" Note:- These issues will be discussed at Public Meetings of Young Drivers organised by mijag in Dublin and Cork in the coming weeks. The Dublin meeting will be in the Abberley Court Hotel, Tallaght at 8pm Monday June 19th. The Cork Meeting will be in Jurys Hotel on the Western Road at 8pm Monday June 26th. Back to Press Release Index