Industry News from Yes Insurance

A new campaign is being launched which could see premiums on van insurance reduced over time.

The scheme is aimed at getting some van drivers to consider road safety more than they currently do, by tackling the so-called 'white van man' syndrome.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpos) has warned that a number of van drivers are repeatedly flouting the rules of the road.

This applies to a small core of van owners, but their actions are affecting van insurance premiums for other drivers as well as making our roads more dangerous.

Acpos is particularly targeting van drivers who do not adhere to seatbelt laws, speed restrictions and rules regarding safely carrying passengers.

"We are focussing our attention on van drivers and their passengers because experience tells us that a significant number of them are not wearing seatbelts within vehicles that are being driven at illegal speeds," said John Vine, chief constable of Tayside Police.

"They may not be unique in this regard but we are sufficiently concerned for their safety and for the well-being of other road users to undertake this tailored enforcement activity," he conceded.

The campaign, which is being launched in Scotland, comes with a frightening statistic to jolt van drivers into taking the proper precautions.

Acpos says that one in five crashes involving a van results in death or serious injury, a fact which it is hoped will wake people up to the dangers of ignoring the rules.

"This fact alone should be incentive enough for van drivers and their passengers to make absolutely certain that they are not breaking the law and are taking all relevant safety advice on board," said Mr Vine.

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