Allianz introduces drivers' courses

Insurance group Allianz Ireland has introduced a new risk and safety services initiative, designed to improve driving skills of commercial drivers. The initiative involves providing advanced and defensive driver training to drivers of commercial vehicles, covering everything from skid recovery to driving in hazardous conditions.

It follows similar moves by other insurers to improve drivers' skills. Hibernian offers a discount to young drivers who agree to participate in a safety course.

Yesterday's announcement of the initiative was attended by race driver Juan Pablo Montoya of the BMW Williams F1 Team.

Mr Bernard Murphy, chief executive at Allianz Ireland, said 80 per cent of all accidents on Irish roads were caused by driver error. He said improving driving skills would lead to lower premiums and greater efficiencies for Irish companies.

A spokesman said the scheme involved instructors running a skills improvement course over a number of days. Around 1,000 such courses would be run each year, he said.