InVue

You Choose the Accident You Have

Road traffic accidents often come down to the choices we make—speed, distraction, impatience, or assuming others will act safely. They’re rarely just bad luck. But sometimes, you don’t even cause the accident—you’re just caught up in someone else’s mess. That’s why it’s so important to drive wisely, stay alert, and never take safety for granted. Your decisions can protect you not only from your own mistakes but from the consequences of someone else’s.

Road Safety Authority Ireland

One of the handy tools in our line of work is Google Maps. Whether it's checking out terrain, or just getting a feel for the layout of a location, Street View can offer some unexpected insight — and sometimes a bit of a chuckle too.

Had a look at a site in Roscommon recently and couldn’t help but laugh at what popped up in the middle of a very rural scene...

Thinking of Selling Your Car? Read This First!

If you're planning to sell your car privately, especially via platforms like Adverts or DoneDeal, be extra cautious during test drives — it could cost you more than just a sale.

A recent case highlighted how a car was stolen during a test drive when the “buyer” asked to inspect the engine, then jumped back in and drove off. The seller had handed over control of the vehicle without confirming who the person really was.

What many sellers don’t realise:
If your car is stolen under false pretences — for example, during a test drive arranged online — your insurance may not cover you. Most policies have exclusions for theft by deception, especially if you:

Hand over the keys without verifying the buyer’s identity

Leave the keys in the ignition while unattended

Tips to Protect Yourself:

Always check ID and insurance before a test drive

Don’t leave the keys in the vehicle

Never let someone test drive alone

Meet in a public place or near CCTV

Trust your gut — if something feels off, don’t go ahead

You’ve worked hard for your car. Don’t make it easy for someone to take it — and leave you without cover.

Stay safe, stay smart. Share this with anyone selling a car!

Man Jailed for Fatal Hit-and-Run

• Philip Ormond was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for dangerous driving causing the death of Kathleen Furlong and leaving the scene of the accident.

• Ormond was driving 18 km over the speed limit and ran a red light when he struck Ms. Furlong, who died at the scene from severe injuries.

• Witnesses described the impact and Ormond's subsequent departure from the scene, with CCTV footage showing him changing clothes and attempting to conceal the car's registration plates.

• The court considered Ormond's previous convictions, including road traffic offenses, and the aggravating factors of his speed, disregard for the red light, and leaving the scene.

• Ms. Furlong's family provided a victim impact statement expressing their grief and emphasizing the devastating impact of her death, while Ormond expressed remorse and acknowledged his actions.

Man (43) jailed for leaving scene of a fatal accident after he knocked down an elderly woman | BreakingNews.ie Ormond’s 53 previous convictions included 24 road traffic offences, including one for dangerous driving from 2002.

Driver found asleep at wheel in broad daylight with engine running and vodka bottle.

Nearly 5× above legal limit for learner drivers.

Already banned, driving on a learner permit.

Guilty plea, five-year driving disqualification, four-month suspended sentence.

Here we have a man who was already serving a three-year driving ban, caught asleep at the wheel of a running vehicle, with an empty vodka bottle beside him and nearly five times over the legal alcohol limit. And yet, despite the extreme recklessness and potential for danger, he avoids jail entirely.

If the goal is to deter dangerous behaviour on our roads, this case sends the opposite message.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/extremely-dangerous-driver-serving-road-ban-found-asleep-at-wheel-while-almost-five-times-over-the-limit/a513673370.html

Irish IndependentAn Garda SíochánaRoad Safety Authority IrelandEuropean Road Safety Charter RoadPeace Road Traffic Injuries Research Network Road Safety GB Learner Driver Support ProgrammeLahinch Driver Training - LDT

'Extremely dangerous' – Driver serving road ban found asleep at wheel while almost five times over the limit A banned driver, who was almost five times over the alcohol limit when he was found asleep at the wheel of his car in broad daylight with an empty vodka bottle in the passenger seat, has avoided a jail term and been disqualified from driving for five years.

Kerry Coroner Emphasizes Seatbelt Importance After Fatal Crash

• The inquest into the death of 25-year-old Thomas Gudgeon, who was ejected from a car and killed in a 2022 crash near Kenmare, highlighted the coroner's emphasis on seatbelt use.

• While it remained unclear if Mr. Gudgeon was wearing a seatbelt, the coroner, Aisling Quilter, returned a verdict of accidental death, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident.

• The collision involved a Volkswagen Polo and an Audi A6, with conflicting accounts regarding visibility, leading to Mr. Gudgeon's death from injuries sustained in the accident.

https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/kerry-coroner-stresses-importance-of-wearing-seatbelts-while-issuing-verdict-of-accidental-death-in-kenmare-crash-431776

I recently investigated a roundabout collision where the lead car stopped before entering, despite the roundabout appearing clear. The following driver, focused on the right, didn’t expect the stop and collided with the car in front. They questioned why it stopped at all. These incidents can raise suspicions of staged accidents—or simply show a lack of attention. To avoid rear-end collisions, always keep your eyes on the car in front and allow space to react, even if the way seems clear. Defensive driving is your best protection.