According to research by the insurance company AXA, 47% of van crashes are the result of tailgating
This content was provided on behalf of AXA Insurance
The ‘Unluckiest Van’ Reveals Most Common Causes of Van Accidents
Even in an age when fleet vehicles are speed limited, accidents can and do, unfortunately, happen.
According to a 3-minute video based on joint research published PDF by AXA and Road Safety Analysis called “A Day in the Life of The Unluckiest Van,” 47% of van drivers crash due to tailgating, 142% due to reversing and 23% because of tiredness.
Knowing the common causes of van accidents other than the ones mentioned above will hopefully help van owners to be more cautious and prepared.
Incompetent drivers
Hiring an incompetent driver for your van is just asking for trouble because driving a van is not the same as driving a regular car. It has a shorter front, a longer and wider body, and responds very differently to tight corners. It is important that your drivers are professionally trained and that they have the proof of it.
Carelessness
Although drunk driving is one of the most common causes of road accidents, being careless while driving is another. Typically due to more limitated vision, van drivers can cause accidents through careless manoeuveuring (reversing or changing from one lane to another without properly checking who’s behind and around).
Overloading
Overloading of cargo and passengers can cause the van to be imbalanced, making it more difficult to drive. Thus, it is important that drivers make sure that whatever load they are carrying is within the permissible weight allowed and, just as importantly, that it is evenly distributed. And don’t forget to include the weight of the driver and passengers.
Speeding
Just as dangerous as speeding in a car, if not more so due to the less pedestrian-friendly design of the typical van.
It would be fair to say that many of these findings would also be consistent with other road users.
Car drivers, particularly young car drivers, are known to be typically less skilled and more careless on the road and drive at a higher average speed.
Incompetence is another commonality that spans all groups of road users and isn’t limited to just one.
It is interesting though that van drivers are much more likely to be involved in an accident while reversing (a somewhat obvious finding some would say) and that they are statistically more likely to crash due to fatigue.
What then should you do? If you drive a van, take the necessary precautionary measures and keep it in good condition at all times. Screen any drivers before allowing them to drive and make sure your vehicle is protected by a good accident insurance policy.
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