Van driver speeding is at epidemic proportions, and needs to be addressed by the new UK Government, according to RED Corporate Driver Training.

It said Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed that van drivers were the most likely to speed in built-up areas and on motorways.

The statistics showed that in free-flowing traffic in 30mph zones, 45% of vans drivers were speeding, with 5% reaching speeds over 40mph.

On motorways, 47% of van drivers broke the 70mph limit, with 10% going faster than 80mph.

RED Corporate Driver Training head of corporate Greg Ford said: “The instances of speeding in vans are remarkably, worryingly, consistent across all road types that were measured. Extrapolate that across the millions of vans drivers at work in the UK, and it illustrates that drivers at work in commercial vehicles are breaking the law far too often.

“Not only does this provide a safety risk, but costs more too because the faster a van goes, the more fuel it uses, while also carrying inherent reputational damage for the company as well.”

Education needed

Ford added that the statistics also revealed confusion about LCV speed limits on National Speed Limit roads.

He said: “In its report, the DfT states: “The speed limit applicable to different types of van on this road type depends on the maximum laden weight and construction of the vehicle, which cannot be determined by our data source”.

“In our work with fleets, this is one of the single biggest sources of confusion, and risk: the speed limits for different commercial vehicle types and weights. 

“So often when drivers come to us, they don’t know whether their commercial vehicle should be 56, 60 or 70mph on a dual carriageway, or 50, 56 or 60mph on a single.”

RED has produced a series of interactive e-learner videos, one of which explains the rules around commercial vehicle speed limits, and Ford said it was an area fleets needed to address.

He said: “As these DfT figures show, there are a lot of van drivers out there breaking speed limits. But what these figures don’t show, and it’s something fleets need to think about, is how many of their drivers are breaking speed limits without realising, because they’re unaware of the limit on their specific vehicle? 

“Then, when a speeding ticket comes in, they’re shocked they’ve done something wrong, when they thought they were driving considerately.”