The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of dangerous behaviours on Irish roads.

The audio campaign tackles five dangerous behaviours – speeding, drink driving, distracted driving, not wearing seatbelts and drug driving.

It comprises six separate radio adverts (which also run on digital audio, including podcasts and other digital channels), running until the end of August. The adverts have been developed using feedback from in-depth research and focus groups which took place earlier this year.
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While they are relevant to all adults, they are specifically designed around insights from younger men who drive on rural roads to ensure that they are relevant to that sub-audience. The adverts will run around the clock with a specific additional media buying approach by night-time (12 midnight to 6.00 a.m.) built into the plan, as this has been a period of increased risk on our roads over the last 18 months.

Read more here

There are many types of staged accidents here are samples of some of the most common.

The Swoop and Squat
An Innocent driver is driving behind a car ( usually containing numerous passengers ) when a third car overtakes both vehicles and suddenly pulls in and brakes hard --- THE SWOOP.  This causes the middle car to brake suddenly---THE SQUAT. This causes the innocent driver to rear end the middle car. The swoop car then drives off leaving the innocent victim to deal with a substanial claim from the car in front.

The Drive Down  
An innocent driver is waved on by the fraudster at a remote intersection where he/she should give way. As the innocent driver moves across the intersection, the fraudster ( vehicle usually containing numerous passengers/witnesses ) deliberately rams the innocent driver and denies the wave on.

The 'T' Bone
The fraudster waits at a remote set of traffic lights on a cross roads. When the innocent driver crosses the junction on a green light. The fraudster drives through the red light and rams the victim's car. Then claims it was the innocent driver who broke the red light. This claim s then substantiated by two or more bogus witnesses.

There are many variations of these staged accidents and many more besides the examples given. The Gardai don't seem to have the resources or time to investigate each incident and insurance companies seem all to ready to settle a claim, rather than enter into a very expensive court battle with little or no evidence in favour of the innocent party. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of a staged accident or other types of insurance fraud please see our forensic diagnostics on the diagnostic page of our Website. We at AA Autotec​ may be able to help.