Big bills for accidents involving council vehicles

Dundee City Council-owned vehicles have been involved in hundreds of accidents over the last three years causing nearly £400,000 of damage.

New figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that since 2012, vehicles operated by the local authority were damaged in 473 separate incidents, costing £371,243.

The council said that the most common reasons for vehicles being damaged were being hit by a third party, adverse weather and vehicle windscreens being broken.

Figures provided for the costs of damage include the amount of cash paid out on insurance excesses, repairs and settling compensation claims.

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “The council’s fleet is self-insured. Daily checks are carried out on each council vehicle.”

The city council owns around 600 vehicles.