Safer Van Driving

You probably know that it’s perfectly legal to drive a van on a car licence, but did you know there are other things to bear in mind, if you’re getting behind the wheel of a van?

And if you have a team of van drivers working for you, and you’re not sure of the extra precautions they should be taking to stay safe on the roads, can you be sure they’re aware of them too?

Here are just a few things to think about that might not have crossed your mind:

• If you’re driving a van on a national speed limit road, vans are restricted to 10 mph less than a car – we’re always surprised by the amount of people that we train who don’t know that.
• Watch out for the maximum permitted weight. Van drivers need to understand how to read a VIN plate as that’s where its maximum carrying weight will be listed. 
• Always allow for extra stopping distance – especially in wet or icy conditions: Vans are typically heavier and larger than cars, which means they require more time and distance to come to a complete standstill.

• Secure your load – if you’re carrying loads in your van, make sure they’re properly secured, and the weight is distributed to avoid shifting or tipping while you’re driving.
• Don’t forget about height restrictions – vans are often taller than cars so if you’re driving through tunnels, underpasses or bridges, or even carparks with height restrictions, take these into consideration.
• Blind spots – vans typically have larger blind spots than cars, so it’s important to take extra care when checking your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or making a turn.
• Adjust your driving style – vans have a higher centre of gravity than cars, which means they are more prone to tipping over in sharp turns or on uneven terrain.  Take things more slowly so you can avoid the pitfalls.
• Long wheelbase vans need more turning space when entering or leaving junctions with tight corners, be especially careful that your van doesn’t put pedestrians in danger when in such situations. 

• Silence is golden, or is it? If you’re driving an electric van, be mindful that they are super quiet at low speeds which can pose a danger to pedestrians.
• And last but not least – always be aware of your surroundings. As we’ve said vans have larger blind spots than cars, so make sure you’re always vigilant to what’s going on around you and keep an eye out for other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists – so you can be as safe as possible. If you can – reverse into parking bays.

Employers shouldn’t take it for granted that van drivers know all of this. Unless they’ve received specific training, there’s a danger that some essential knowledge might be missing. If the driver gets involved in a serious accident, the police will almost certainly ask the business to evidence what training was provided. If this happened to one of your drivers, could you demonstrate the right level of training had been given, if at all? If alarm bells are ringing, don’t worry we can help. Our online Safer Van Driving course explains everything a van driver needs to know and it’ll help you as an employer meet your duty of care requirements. Get in touch to find out more.