The number of accidents at Dublin Bus has fallen dramatically since the introduction of special courses for its drivers, it emerged today.
Dublin Bus said the number of collisions had reduced by 20% since 2002, while customer accidents had reduced by 9%.
Since 2002, the company has sent its 2,400 drivers on defensive driving courses run by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in Britain.
All of the drivers have now completed the course and there has been a further 9% drop in collisions so far this year, and a 8% drop in the accident to claims ratio.
"These statistics are all the more impressive as Dublin Bus has increased the mileage that it covers in 2005 by 5% (59 million kilometres per annum) on 2004 miles," said a spokeswoman.
Dublin Bus operates a fleet of 1,062 buses and carries about 150 million passengers on 170 routes each year.
The company is now introducing a second IAM training course for its drivers, which will involve a trainer being assigned to drivers both in the classroom and out on the road. New CCTV footage will be used to identify risks and hazards.
"The course is tailored specifically to help drivers deal with the congestion and the ongoing infrastructural works within the city," said the spokeswoman.
PA