Van drivers unfairly targeted for negative behaviour
New research has revealed that van drivers in the UK are regularly the target of negative behaviour from other motorists.
A study from Peugeot has found that van drivers are disproportionately tailgated, sworn at and threated with violence.
In fact, 78% of the 1,000 van drivers surveyed said they had experienced negative behaviour from other road users because they drove a van. More than half said they had been cut up (53%) or sworn at (51%), while 41% said they had been tailgated and 26% said they had even been threatened with violence.
Of those who said they had experienced these negative behaviours, 79% said they believed it was because of the negative perceptions other motorists have of van drivers.
The most common stereotypes van drivers come up against are aggressive behaviour (46%), poor driving (43%) and having dirty or untidy vehicles (35%), with 61% saying they feel under pressure to drive more carefully and 51% even changing their route to avoid conflict with other road users.
Nicola Dobson, managing director, Peugeot UK, said:
“It’s time for the outdated stereotypes of van drivers to be re-evaluated. At Peugeot, we know that the majority of van drivers take pride in their vehicle and are among the most skilled and considerate drivers on the road.”
