Call for ‘boy racers’ to notify insurers

Drivers, especially ‘boy racers’, who modify their cars, should notify their insurance companies.

A senior figure in the Insurance Federation warned some modifications could alter the performance of a vehicle and, as a consequence, change the insurance cover situation.

Michael Horan, a non-life insurance manager, was replying to concerns raised by a councillor that boy racers — usually young drivers in modified cars — may not have proper insurance cover.

Cllr Niall O’Callaghan, an independent town councillor in Killarney, also called for a garda crackdown on such drivers.

He said they were a nuisance all around the country, creating hazards on the roads and keeping people awake all night.

Mr Horan told the Irish Examiner if an insurance company had not been informed about modifications, it would be within its rights to turn down a claim for damages by the driver of the car.

However, the rights of another person making a claim for personal injuries arising from an accident with a dangerously modified car would not be affected, he pointed out.

“There is a need to provide details of modifications to the insurer. While some very minor modifications might not be relevant, other modifications that could affect the performance of a car are relevant,” he said.

Separately, three teenagers have been questioned by Tralee gardaí following an alleged incident involving boy racers at Ballymacelligott, Co Kerry.

The youths were interviewed after a firework was allegedly discharged close to a number of homes.

It is understood the driver of a car was also performing doughnuts — continuously rotating the rear of a car around its front wheels and causing circular skid marks — near a railway level crossing.

Supt Jim O’Connor of Tralee said a file was being prepared for the DPP.