Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
169. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the reason why, at a time when road traffic deaths are on the rise again, BoxyMo supervisory type insurance which could prevent at least 100, and possibly up to 200 road traffic accident deaths per year, and has been in use in Ireland for over ten years, is not made mandatory and rolled out nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/23]
View answerUnder Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, motor insurance is required to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place. Individuals may purchase a motor insurance policy from any of the insurance companies that operate in Ireland. The type of cover and the terms and conditions of products are a matter to be agreed between the individual and the insurance company. This is a private contractual issue, that I as Minister for Transport have no role in.
While I am deeply concerned about the rise in road fatalities, I am not in a position to mandate the sale of a particular insurance product provided by an individual insurance company.
