Deadly date: today the most dangerous day on our roads

TOMORROW might be the shortest day of the year but today is the deadliest … at least for Irish motorists.

December 20 has officially been declared the most dangerous day of the year on Irish roads, according to a survey by the Hibernian insurance group.

New data on motor accident claims compiled by the company has pinpointed today as statistically the date in which you are most likely to be involved in a road collision.

The Hibernian Crash Report attributes the high accident rate to the increased traffic levels due to the number of people shopping, partying and visiting friends and family.

A company spokesperson said an analysis of all motor claims since 2000 had consistently highlighted the increased rate of accidents in the week before Christmas, in particular on December 20. Insurance claims relating to accidents which happen this week are 40% above the average level.

In contrast, Christmas Day itself is traditionally the safest day of the whole year to drive because of the low levels of traffic.

"Obviously we receive more claims during winter months of darkness and poor weather conditions than we do during the summer. However, the huge jump in claims that we see in the week leading up to Christmas Day is way beyond the norm," said Hibernian's managing director, Dick O'Driscoll.

The survey also showed that young people aged under 30 killed in road traffic accidents last year accounted for 39% of all fatalities 3% above the EU average.

Mr O'Driscoll said speed was a factor in the majority of such cases, especially as most cars involved in these accidents had three or more occupants.

"We are all aware of the stereotype young male, speed, maybe alcohol, country road late at night. It's when you seen the stereotype reflected in bald statistics that it makes for particularly chilling reading," he added.

According to the survey, Wexford is the most dangerous county in which to drive a car, accounting for 8% of all fatal accidents but having just 3% of the total population. Other counties with high accident rates per capita are Meath, Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Tipperary and Monaghan. The safest are Dublin and Cork a fact attributed to their large urban populations.

Most fatal accidents also occur at weekends with 25% of the total occurring on Saturdays.