A local council has saved more than £1 million in car insurance payouts thanks to a safe driving training scheme, it has been revealed.
Since the initiative was introduced in Belfast six years ago, employees of the city council have been involved in 61% fewer road accidents.
The quantifiable successes of the programme were revealed as Belfast City Council launched a new handbook which offers advice to drivers of council vehicles as well as acting as a reference document for other local authorities across the UK.
SDLP councillor Cathal Mullaghan, chairman of the council's Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: "Improving the skills set of our workforce is a core principle of Belfast City Council and this scheme is a shining example of how we have advanced as a council, and how investing in our people has reaped real benefits - not just in monetary terms but in improving safety of staff and indeed members of the public.
"We are delighted that our drive to improve standards among our fleet has been a success."
Mr Mullaghan added that the city council had made total savings in car insurance premiums of £1,129,938 as a result of the scheme.
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