Garda road accidents increase 300%
Gardaí were involved in over 200 accidents last year, up from 81 in 2001. In 86 cases, gardaí themselves were blamed for causing the accident, up from 22 in 2001.
Nearly 400,000 worth of damage was caused to the vehicles involved, an average of more than 1,700. In addition, compensation and legal costs paid in 2002 as a result of accidents involving garda vehicles amounted to €3.2m, including one case where payments totalled €440,000.
The figures have emerged as three gardaí were left with serious injuries after their patrol car crashed on one of the country's busiest roads.
The three gardaí, two male and one female, are in a stable condition in St Vincent's Hospital after their car, travelling northbound, skidded and crashed through a hedge on the central reservation of the N11 dual carriageway. It flipped over a number of times before coming to a halt on the southbound lanes.
Following the accident at 11pm on Sunday, the three, including a student garda, had to be cut from the wreckage of the car, which is a write-off.
It has yet to be established what caused the accident and no blame is being attributed to the driver.
The car may have hit an icy patch but tests will be carried out to check whether there was a mechanical failure. No other vehicle was involved and the marked patrol car was not 'in pursuit'.
Garda representatives have raised concerns about the lack of training for drivers, arguing not enough resources are being made available, leaving a backlog of applications for courses.
"The idea is we have special training but it's not happening," said Garda Representative Association president Michael Kirby.
He added that the majority of drivers of ordinary patrol cars who potentially may be involved in the fast pursuit of suspects have been given no extra training and all they need is a full and clean driving licence and the authorisation of a chief superintendent.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
