Road Safety Tips for Van Drivers
Van driver safety is paramount but while most modern commercial vehicles are more car-like than ever to drive, there are still several tips and advice out there to ensure you and your van remain safe on the road.
The importance of safety on the road cannot be underestimated. Last year there were 1,633 fatalities on UK roads and 128,375 casualties of all severities.
According to figures from the government, van occupants in collisions have a death or seriously injured rate 1/10.
While commercial vans do not demonstrate a higher crash rate than passenger car vehicles, crashes involving vans have tended to be more severe for ‘opponent vehicles’ (other vehicles involved in an accident with a van).
According to the European Commission, ‘casualties comprise around 4 percent of total fatal or seriously injured vehicle occupant casualties with a large percentage of these due to loss of control, in head-on and rear-end crashes’.
Moreover, the size, shape and weight of a van can increase the risk for pedestrians in a collision.
It is therefore crucial that safety is considered a top priority for van drivers, not only for yourself but your passengers and others on the road.
Van Driver Fatigue
Fatigue when driving is one of the main causes of UK road crashes.
Did you know that if you fall asleep behind the wheel at 70mph, you could travel up to 200 metres without realising?
It’s estimated that 10-20 per cent of all crashes are caused by driver fatigue. Astonishingly, one in eight drivers have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.
That’s why it’s so important to recognise the warning signs, before it’s too late. If you are driving your van for long periods of time, it’s vital to take regular breaks. For periods of six hours or more of driving, it’s recommended that you take a 15-minute break every hour.
Even for shorter journeys, breaks of at least 15 minutes should be taken every two hours, according to the Highway Code.
Signs of driving fatigue include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Yawning
- Heaviness in the eyes
- Feeling as though you’re starting to drop off
If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to pull over in a safe place as soon as possible. A service station or petrol station is an ideal place to stop as it would allow you get out of your van, stretch your legs and perhaps grab a snack or caffeine-based drink.
Getting air will also help, so if it isn’t possible to stop immediately, open the window to allow a rush of air in the van to keep you alert. Be mindful of having warm or hot air coming from your vents as it could increase the likelihood of feeling tired.
How about some music? Listening to some tunes or even a good karaoke session is known to help keep you pumped up.
To decrease the likelihood of fatigue while driving your van, make sure you are getting at least eight hours of sleep and take regular breaks.
Van technology has come a long way in this area with some modern models able to detect the signs of fatigue and prevent accidents. Systems can also track wheel and lane movements, alerting the driver when there could be an issue.
Van Maintenance
Regular van maintenance is one of the major factors of road safety. If your tyres are underinflated, or your brakes aren’t working properly – you put yourself at risk of an accident.
It’s important to regularly check key elements of your van to keep yourself and other road users safe.
You should regularly check:
Van Tyres – Inspect the tread depth and check the pressure of your tyres. If your tyre pressure is too low, the handling of your van can be impacted and put your tyres at risk of wear and tear. Also, keep an eye out for any cuts or bulges in your van’s tyres.
Van Lights - This is a simple check that should be carried out before every journey in your van. Switch on your lights and take a walk around your van to make sure everything is in working order. It’s also important to ensure they are clean. A telling tail sign of failing lights is flickering.
Van Brake Pads - Most vans will warn you if your brake pads need replacing. But it’s also important to be vigilant. At least 3mm of the brake pads should be visible. If not, it’s important to quickly get a second opinion. If you also hear a loud noise or grinding noise when braking, it may be time to get them replaced.
Van Fluids - Brake fluid is key to braking safely and quickly. The fluid is activated after you press the brake and acts as a lubricant to stop corrosion.
Warning signs that indicate you brake fluid needs changing include:
- An illuminated brake or ABS warning light on the dashboard
- More pressure is needed when using the brake pedal
- Needing extra time to brake
- A spongey feeling when pressing the brake
At Vansdirect, we offer a van servicing and maintenance package to help keep your van running smoothly and safely. The package includes:
- 24-hour assistance / driver helpline
- Van servicing, maintenance and repair (SMR)
- Van MOT testing
- Accident management
- Van breakdown assistance, including home start
- Tyre replacements, fair wear and tear and punctures
- Warranty claim bookings
- 16,000 approved garages across the UK
- Free van collection and delivery on day of van service, subject to availability
- Free courtesy car, on day of van service, subject to availability
Van Speed Limits and Driving Habits
A lot of people might not be aware that vans can be subject to lower speed limits than cars on certain roads.
If you are travelling on a single or dual carriageway, the speed limit is 10mph less than cars. Always remember that the speed limit is the maximum speed you can travel at – even a few mph over can lead to speeding offences or an accident.
Get into the habit of practicing safer driving habits including:
Take Your Time – Life is busy and running late happens. But it’s important not to go over the speed limit to reach your destination quicker.
Utilise Sat-Navs – Most navigation systems will alert you before a change in speed limit. So always be prepared in case the limit changes.
Don’t Pressure Other Road Users – If you find yourself stuck behind a slower car, don’t pressure them into exceeding the speed limit.
Maintain A Safe Distance – always leave plenty of space between your van and any vehicles in front. Not only will it help you maintain a steady speed but also gives you more time to act should you need to accelerate and decelerate. This is important for van drivers as a heavy load might increase the braking distance your vehicle can manage.
Van Load Management
It’s important to safely and securely load your van to prevent any accidents. Any unsecured cargo can move around in transit and cause your van to roll or shift forward when braking. This in turn could put yourself and any passengers at risk of an accident.
Tips for safely and securely loading your van include:
Loading Larger Items First – By loading your van with bigger items first, you can then fit smaller items around them. This will allow you to efficiently maximise space in your van. It’s also important to evenly distribute heavier items across your van’s load space.
Evenly Distribute Your Van Load – Make sure to load items from the back to the front of your van in rows. To stop any smaller items from moving around, always utilise the space. It’s also vital to not exceed your van’s load capacity. Overloading your van is illegal and could lead to a fixed penalty notice and a dangerous driving charge.
Secure Your Van Load – It's important to secure your van’s load to prevent any accidents. Items can move around on the road, so it’s vital to use webbing or lashing straps to keep them in place. A van bulkhead or divider is also a great way to prevent any items from moving into the cabin from the cargo space.
Don’t Over-Load – It is illegal to exceed the payload of your van as it would increase the overall vehicle’s gross weight. If it exceeds this limit, it places a strain on the vehicle itself and places you, your passengers and other road users at risk as it might not perform as intended in the event of a crash.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
The Highway Code was updated in 2022 in order to protect those most at risk on the road.
Changes were made around pedestrians and cyclists, including a hierarchy of road users. This sets out who is most at risk of a road traffic accident. It’s not surprising that pedestrians and cyclists are at the top of the hierarchy.
If you are travelling through an urban area, always be aware of any upcoming zebra crossings. If a pedestrian is at the crossing or about to walk on the crossing – you must give way.
Also, remember to maintain a safe distance between your van and any cyclists. If it is safe to travel around them, give them plenty of room and always signal to set your intentions.
When your van is parked, it’s also vital to be aware of your surroundings. Always check around you before opening any doors and have a look in your blind spot before pulling away.
Many new vans now offer cyclist and pedestrian detection, so you don’t have to second guess yourself.
Safety Features of New Vans
Safety advances for vans have improved markedly over the decades with the latest crop of new commercial vehicles typically brimming with clever smart connected technology designed primarily to keep drivers and other road users safe.
EuroNCAP is an independent organisation that conducts crash tests and publishes safety ratings for new cars and new vans. Though the organisation doesn’t crash test vans, it does rate them based on the safety features they offer, including:
ELK – Emergency Lane Keeping
LDW – Lane Departure Warning
BLIS – Blind Spot Information System
SLIF – Speed Limit Information Function/Limitation Function
AAD – Attention Assist Driver (to prevent losing concentration when driving)
AEB – Autonomous Emergency Braking (car-to-car, pedestrian, cyclist)
EuroNCAP then subjects new vans to a series of rigorous simulations designed to test these safety features. Tests include avoiding a parked car, emergency braking for a pedestrian and spotting other road users to take preventative action.
As an organisation that is respected by major manufacturers, getting a good EuroNCAP result matters to manufacturers. It means most new vans have most, if not all, of the features listed above.
As of July 2025, the vans with the highest safety rating are the Ford Transit Custom (96%), the Ford Transit (95%), Ford Transit Courier (93%) and Mercedes-Benz Vito (90%)
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