Number of Waterford drivers caught without insurance almost doubled in 2024

The number of drivers in Waterford caught without insurance nearly doubled from mid-2023 to mid-2024, with a 98.9% increase in the figures occurring year-on-year.

Gardaí in the Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow division caught 93 different drivers driving without insurance from April to June in 2023 but the number jumped significantly in the same period in 2024 when 185 drivers were caught committing the same infraction.

The figures, released quarterly by An Garda Síochána, show a steady increase in the number of uninsured drivers in the south east, with the Wicklow-Wexford figures showing a similar trend - increasing from 134 to 261.

Ireland South MEP and member of the EU Transport committee, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, described the figures as "shocking" and opined that rising insurance prices may be behind the rising number of people in the south east committing the offence under Section 41 of the Roads Traffic Act 1994 of driving 'without an approved policy of insurance'.

“It appears likely there is a correlation between the excessive cost of car insurance in Ireland and the spike in motorists driving without insurance," she said, "That in no way justifies a motorist driving without insurance and uninsured drivers involved in accidents only serves to further increase the average cost of premiums.

"The cost of car insurance has risen by over 11% in a year according to CSO figures, well above and beyond the level of inflation”.

The Fianna Fáil TD pledged to raise the issue in the EU Transport Committee and said she would "lobby her colleagues in government" in the hopes of seeking the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, in a statement to the press.

Across the country the largest year-on-year increases took place in Galway where the number of drivers caught increased 199%, followed by Dublin South Central (166%) and Laois/Offaly (138%).