Disclaimer: The insights in this report are derived from its4women’s internal data collected between 01 January 2023 and 01 January 2026, including telematics driving data, claims patterns, behavioural trends, and aggregated analysis across a sample of 60,000 policies. While these findings highlight observable patterns within our customer base, they should be interpreted within the context of its4women’s platform and data set. These insights are suggestions only and do not constitute driving advice. Drivers must always obey the Rules of the Road, comply with all traffic laws, and prioritise safety and real‑world conditions over telematics or claims‑based observations. MCL Insurance Services Ireland Ltd., trading as Its4women.ie, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Introduction
Every year, the road safety landscape in Ireland evolves in response to local driving habits, regional infrastructure, and the adoption of new safety technologies. At its4women, we have analysed our 2024 policy data across all 26 counties to identify the safest regions, the most law-abiding drivers, and the significant impact telematics technology is having on road safety.
Whether you are navigating the busy streets of Dublin or the rural winding roads of Leitrim, here is how each county performed, based on motoring claims, and what the data reveals about the future of driving in Ireland.
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1. Safest County
.01
Measured By Standard Car Insurance Claims Frequency
For those on standard car insurance policies (non-telematics), County Clare has emerged as the safest location in Ireland, boasting the lowest claim frequency at just 3.39%. Following closely are Dublin (3.71%) and Waterford (3.90%). The consistently low frequencies in Clare and Dublin suggest a strong baseline of cautious driving in these areas.
However, when we introduce telematics (black box) technology, the results are even more staggering. Limerick telematics drivers achieved a claim frequency of only 0.92%, the lowest figure recorded across any category in the report, indicating that being monitored can fundamentally change driver behaviour for the better.
Highest Risk County
.02
Traditional Driving Trends: Identifying the High Risk Areas
When looking at drivers without telematics boxes, Longford recorded the highest claim frequency in the country at 6.86%, with Donegal (6.64%) and Westmeath (6.29%) also scoring high for claims.
Higher claim frequencies in these regions often reflect local environmental factors, such as higher mileage or road conditions, but they also highlight a prime opportunity for drivers in these areas to consider telematics car insurance to help lower their risk profile.
Most Law Abiding
.03
Measured By Motoring Offence Frequencies
Safety is not just about avoiding accidents; it is about following the rules of the road. We examined the percentage of policies with one or more motoring offences to see where the most law-abiding drivers reside.
County Carlow set the national standard, with only 3.02% of policies reporting an offence, followed by Louth (3.24%) and Monaghan (3.53%).
Conversely, Tipperary drivers were the most likely to have a motoring offence in 2024, with a rate of 6.66%.
What this means: Legal compliance is a major factor in insurance premiums. For drivers in Tipperary and Westmeath (6.07%), focusing on road legality could be the quickest way to see a reduction in long-term costs.
Decoding Telematics
.04
Measured By Telematics Driving Scores
Telematics provides a unique window into real driving behaviour, extending beyond the moment an accident occurs. By analysing key driving risk factors, driver scores are based on how safely individuals drive.
Each trip is monitored and scored according to driving behaviour. The system tracks five primary risk factors: speed; driving smoothness, including braking, acceleration, and cornering; distance travelled; location of travel; and time of travel.
The Average Driving Score League
The Average Driving Score is a composite of how smoothly and safely a motorist drives. Limerick again took the top spot with a score of 74.03, followed by Carlow (73.89) and Waterford (73.83). Cavan sat at the bottom of the table with a score of 70.36.
Speed Spectrum
.05
Measured By Speeding Alerts
Speeding is categorised into three tiers: Moderate, Severe, and Dangerous. The data shows that speeding behaviour is highly regional:
Monaghan drivers were the most likely to experience both Moderate (31.94%) and Severe (36.11%) speeding alerts.
Dangerous Speeding: This is our most critical safety tier. While Limerick and Roscommon tied for the best performance (8.33%), Cavan recorded the highest frequency at 25.93%.
These scores suggest that whilst most drivers are safe, specific counties have a culture of "speed creeping."
The Rise of The Black Box In Lowering Car Insurance
While Google searches for "car insurance Ireland" are up by 20%, specific queries for "how to lower car insurance" have exploded by 250%, suggesting a shift in how Irish motorists are prioritising their spending and car insurer choice.
This suggests that drivers are no longer passive consumers; they are actively looking for ways to reward themselves for safe habits. The results in Limerick provide the ultimate proof of this: claim frequency dropped from 4.21% to just 0.92% when safety-tracking technology was utilised.
Across Ireland, telematics drivers maintained a better claim frequency than traditional drivers in 15 out of 26 counties.
The Risk Regions: Why Improvement is Needed
While many areas show good safety records, the data also highlights regions with room for improvement. Longford holds the highest claim frequency for standard policies at 6.86% , while Westmeath recorded the highest claim frequency for telematics users at 9.27%. When it comes to road legality, Tipperary drivers were the most likely to have a motoring offence at 6.66%. Speeding and overall driving habits also present challenges in the midlands and north of the country, Cavan recorded both the lowest average driving score of 70.36 and the highest rate of dangerous speeding events at 25.93%.
Taking Control of Your Safety
The 2024 report from its4women shows that technology is the most effective tool for bridging the safety gap. Whether you are in a high-performing county like Clare or looking to improve your habits in Longford, black box telematics offers a transparent way to prove your safety and potentially lower your costs.
Gary McClarty, CEO of its4women gives 5 tips on how to be an excellent driver whilst using a telematics box:
1
Early Easing & Gentle Stops
Scan the road ahead to avoid sudden stopping when you lift your foot off the accelerator early rather than slamming the brakes at the last second.
How it Scores: Telematics systems measure deceleration force. By spreading your braking over a longer distance, you keep your "G-force" readings low, avoiding the "Harsh Braking" red flags that significantly tank scores.
2
Build a "Buffer Zone"
Don’t hug the bumper of the car in front. Leave a bigger gap, at least three seconds, so you have plenty of space to react if they do something you weren’t anticipating.
How it Scores: The box can’t "see" other cars, but it can feel when you’re forced to react to them. A bigger gap means you can slow down gently instead of panic-braking. It keeps your driving data looking like a smooth wave.
3
Avoid the "Danger Zone" Hours
Try to avoid driving between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. If you have a few things to do, try to get them all done in one go during the day rather than taking five separate short trips.
How it Scores: This is all about "Risk Factor." Statistics show that most young driver accidents happen late at night. By driving during "social hours," the app automatically views you as a lower risk, which keeps your points high without you even trying.
4
Lock in Your Speed
Treat the speed limit as the absolute max, not a suggestion. Using cruise control on clear roads can help maintain your speed without it accidentally creeping up.
How it Scores: The box uses GPS to check your speed against the actual limit of the road you're on. Staying within the speed limit shows the insurer you’re a disciplined driver, which is the fastest way to get a top-tier rating.
