Donegal is one of the worst Garad Districts in the country when it comes to driving without insurance.
According to the latest figures, there has been a 123% increase in the number of drivers caught in the county driving without cover between 2023 and 2024.
The data was obtained by Ireland South MEP and member of the EU Transport committee, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.
Galway was the biggest offender with an increase of 199%, the Dublin South Central Garda district recorded 166% and Laois/Offaly on 137.8%. Donegal was the fifth worst in the State, just behind Dublin North Central on 125.2%.
The MEP will raise the price of insurance for Irish motorists in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament and has called for urgent measures to address the spike in the number of drivers caught driving without insurance in every Garda district in Ireland.
She has also called for the immediate implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform promised in the Programme for Government.
Ní Mhurchú says high car insurance premiums may be the reason for the spike in motorists driving without insurance,
“It appears likely there is a correlation between the excessive cost of car insurance in Ireland and the spike in motorists driving without insurance,” she said.
“That in no way justifies a motorist driving without insurance and uninsured drivers involved in accidents only serves to further increase the average cost of premiums. The cost of car insurance has risen by over 11% in a year according to CSO figures, well above and beyond the level of inflation.”
In France, analysts believe motor insurance premiums are forecast to rise by an average of between 4% and 6% this year, half of Ireland’s increase. Whilst the cost of insurance in Estonia grew by 22% in 2023, it is still relatively low at an average of €144. Average motor premiums in rural Hungary are as low as €130 per year.
Ní Mhurchú has vowed to raise the issue in the EU Transport Committee and will lobby her colleagues in government to implement the Action Plan for Insurance Reform promised in the Programme for Government.
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