Odd crash gives car gills

It’s kind of an unusual pattern of damage, but the driver of this Ford Fusion (Mondeo here) found herself in an unusual accident, writes Brian Byrne.

She was driving along the highway in Minnesota when ... MORE

Next Sunday is to remember road accident victims

The victims of road traffic accidents will be recalled next Sunday, ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’. In Ireland, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), local authorities, members of An Garda Síochána and the mmergency services are joining forces to urge people to consider their behaviour on the roads as a mark of respect to those who have lost their lives on Ireland’s roads.

Some 23,596 people have died on Irish roads to date (11 November 2014) since records began in 1959. A further 76,586 received serious, life-changing injuries over the period 1977 to 2013. And already this year, 166 families, friends and communities have lost a loved one.

Masses, services and commemorative events around the country will be held around the country to mark the occasion. A full list of the events is available on www.rsa.ie.

In addition, the RSA will have a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSAireland.

One in 50 own up to parking accidents

While two out of every three car owners in a recent AA Ireland survey said they had suffered damage to their cars in a supermarket car park, in only one out of every 50 cases were they notofied by the person who had caused the damage.

According to the AA's insurance wing, hitting or being hit by another vehicle is by far the most common car-park claim, followed by ‘door to panel’ collisions with walls, pillars, trolley shelters or barriers. This can occur due to limited space between cars or reversing into tight spaces with often poor visibility. There are also regular claims for damage from rogue shopping trolleys.

Common light collision damage includes headlight damage, and dents to bumpers, wings and doors.

The cost of the damage can reach up to €1,000 depending on the speed the vehicle was traveling at, the extent of the damage, and whether or not the panel needs replacing. Garages report an average cost of €250 plus VAT for bumper buffs, €350 plus VAT for door dents etc (one panel only), €300 plus VAT for quarter panel dents and €50 plus VAT for mirror covers or complete €150 plus mirror.

The AA notes that 'getting away with it' is no longer so easy, because many car parks now have cctv surveillance, and passers-by can also photograph such incidents.