The number of uninsured vehicles on Ireland’s roads has almost doubled in the last four years, official figures have revealed.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland warned that 150,000 uninsured private vehicles were in circulation and posed a growing threat to road safety.
The MIBI, which handles all insurance claims for accidents involving uninsured drivers and hit-and-run motorists, said that the estimate of 151,392 represented 7.4 per cent of private cars licensed in the Republic.
In the past year the number of uninsured vehicles on Irish roads rose by more than 30,000, a sharp rise since 2013, when 81,970 cars, or 4.3 per cent of the total, were listed as uninsured.
“It represents a real threat to Irish road safety,” David Fitzgerald, MIBI chief executive, said.
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He warned uninsured drivers that they risked having their cars seized and facing an automatic court appearance, five penalty points and a significant fine.
The MIBI also reminded motorists that it would rigorously pursue any uninsured drivers involved in traffic accidents for costs.
“Every driver knows the law requires all vehicles using our public road network to have proper motor insurance in place,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Drivers who do not are in immediate violation of one of the most basic road safety principles.”
Motorists have expressed anger at a 70 per cent rise in insurance premiums in the last three years, including a 38 per cent spike in the past 12 months.
The latest MIBI figures will raise concerns that the cost of motor insurance could increase further.
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The bureau was notified of an average of eight claims a day against uninsured drivers in the first seven months of 2016.
A total of 1,644 claims were made between January and July, up 17 per cent over the corresponding period in 2015.
“While no sums are yet attached to these claims, unfortunately more claims generally mean higher levels of payments coming from the MIBI and ultimately that will have an impact on motor insurance premiums,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Last year the bureau paid out €65 million in compensation to cover such claims, while it reclaimed €7 million from offending motorists.
Mr Fitzgerald estimated that existing payouts account for €35 of the cost of an average annual car insurance policy.
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The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has opened an inquiry into suspected breaches of competition law in relation to insurance price increases.
“Anyone who drives without insurance is rolling the dice in a very high stakes game,” Mr Fitzgerald said.