Author: News Desk

Now is not the time to go faster

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How are our frontline heroes this week? We hope you are all well and staying safe. News reaches us this week that there is a marked increase on the roads of speeding incidents and we notice there are more reports of van driver crashes appearing in the press. With 50-60% less traffic on the road, there is a marked increase in speeding incidents up and down the country and it’s coming at the cost of some very serious accidents. 

And of course, we get it. With quiet roads, it’s hard not to test the limits and see if you can take that corner with the precision and finesse of a Formula One driver. And of course, van drivers are under more pressure than ever – just being out and on the road is enough to cause some concerns and being in and out of multiple locations each day can feel like a game of Russian Roulette in the current climate. But it’s no excuse for not focusing on the road and being safe out there.

And talking of Formula One (is anyone watching the Esports version – we’re quite enjoying it), while last week it was a pilot taking up the van driver’s life, this week, it’s a Porsche Carrera racer. News reaches us that Josh Webster, Porsche Supercup winner, has taken to a Tesco van in Suffolk during the crisis while motorsports are on lockdown to deliver groceries for the vulnerable. (Please don’t go looking for him to race him – his van is limited to 50mph.) 

And finally, a big shout out to one of our local supermarket delivery drivers, who got a special cheer at 8 pm last Thursday when our entire road was out on the street clapping for you all. He took a slow, heroes drive down the road, tooting his horn and flashing his lights and giving us all a wave. And he got a heroes’ applause as he went. Keep on keeping on guys, we need you and appreciate you all. 

By Special Delivery, c/o BA.

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Heartwarming news this week, with the tale of the pilot, turned van driver. 

Peter Login, a British Airways pilot found himself at something of a loose end when coronavirus hit, and he was furloughed by BA. Rather than staying home and twiddling his thumbs, instead, Peter, who is from Horsham, East Sussex decided to do something useful. He is now working as a delivery driver for Tesco in nearby Crawley, to help ensure vital supplies get delivered to those most in need, who find themselves self-isolating. 

His quick job switch has been celebrated by many as a sign of the good people out there who refuse to sit around and wait for better days to come, choosing instead to get out there and make a difference. 

Pilots up and down the country have been forced to take a massive 50% pay cut and forced to take unpaid annual leave, but we can only assume Peter has taken on the Tesco role out of the goodness of his heart, rather than for a pressing need for cash. 

He is certainly lifting the spirits of those Sussex residents who are lucky enough to have Peter knocking on their door. He says it’s obvious that some have not seen anyone for a while and he always makes time to have a quick chat from a safe distance before dropping off their supplies and going on his way. 

And, as van drivers, it’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t just Peter, but many of you, who are playing a vital role in the mental wellbeing of those you are delivering too – not just groceries, but other goods and services to places where human interaction may just be a little thin on the ground right now. A cheerful wave can quite literally make somebody’s day right now. So why not make the most of it – let’s face it, this is quite likely one of those times when people have never been happier to see you and knowing that you could make somebody’s day can not just put a smile on their face, but it should put one on yours too. 

Van Drivers of the UK – keep smiling. You’ve got this. 

The Coronavirus Diaries – In Which the World is Going Mad

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It seems the world is slowly losing it’s mind. Maybe it’s just us here at CVI HQ, but this week there are more tales than we can believe of van drivers making daft decisions and the great British public also losing their collective marbles too. 

In Wymondham, near Norwich, there were reports of a food van driver being attacked and robbed. The perpetrators were thankfully not only caught, but also fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions. This sadly mirrors more general reports of food service industry workers under fire from the public and even brawls in the supermarket aisles. It seems tempers are fraying up and down the country as lockdown continues.

Meanwhile, in Cumbria, a van driver was arrested for driving his van with no front tyres. Yes, you heard right, no tyres. We know HMRC has relaxed the ‘no MOT’ rules for now, but this beggars belief. (For the record, you may not have an MOT, but your vehicle is still expected to be roadworthy). 

Over in Doncaster, a van driver who had phoned in sick as self-isolating was caught transporting motorbikes in the back of his van for off road racing during lockdown. He was promptly sacked.

Staying up north, one van driver managed to create some smiles as he hastily scrawled ‘no bog rolls kept in the van overnight’ in the dirt on the back of his transit. 

Whether you’re staying home or one of the drivers up and down the country sticking it out and getting things done, it pays to remember that yes, the roads are quieter, but now, more than ever, staying safe and retaining a good sense of humour matters. Yes, the general public can be idiots and take what you do for granted, but there are many of us who depend on you doing what you do to keep our country moving and will be eternally thankful to you for it. You may not get the same recognition as many of the other key workers out there, but now more than ever, your country needs you to stay safe and keep doing what you do. 

Van Drivers – The New Emergency Service

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The New Emergency Service

Yes, van drivers, we’re talking about you. You may well hate your job right now, being forced out to the frontline, doing work you don’t want to do in a climate that is beyond surreal. But go, in the knowledge that the general public not only need you more than ever, but have a new-found respect for you that they would never have had, unless the events of the last few months happened.

You are the essential connectors for so many people right now – the elderly and vulnerable. Between friends and families sending gifts in the absence of their presence. Of people who would otherwise not be able to go out and get food. For supermarkets which would have no food without you. Hospitals that need vital equipment. Whatever you’re delivering, just know, that someone, somewhere is grateful for you right now. 

It’s a time of clarity for us all. A time where the glaring inequality between van drivers who won’t get paid more than SSP if they do self-isolate, while many sit at home getting 80% of a decent salary for doing nothing at all. Seeing the ones who have money get everything they want delivered to their doorstep, while those who don’t struggle to get what they need. The roads are quiet but there’s no joy in a fast drop-off when there’s a never-ending stream to deliver and you’re not sure if you’re just feeling exhausted or something worse. And no feeling grateful that ‘at least you’ve got a job,’ when any one of those drop-offs could affect not only you, but your family at home in ways you’d rather not think about. 

These are dark times and there’s nothing more we can say to cheer you along, besides that the majority of us recognise that every day you’re out there, getting things done, because that’s what you do. And for that, we thank you. 

Stay safe. 

Staying Safe in Uncertain Times

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Okay, so we’ve not spoken about it so much, until now, but as a van driver, what should you be doing to stay safe during the coronavirus outbreak?

The good news is that you have been designated ‘key workers’ meaning that those of you who are self-employed can keep going for now and keep some money on the table until the chancellor hopefully announces some new measures to help out, besides the current paltry £94 a week on offer. 

And now, more than ever, the nation is depending on you to move vital goods up and down the country. The plus side is that the traffic and parking is a damn sight easier. 

But what are your employers doing to keep you safe? 

Hopefully, you all have some form of PPE – be it gloves and masks or at least some hand sanitiser to take with you.

It’s so important to keep on top of not just regular hand washing, safe distancing and generally more awareness of what you do and when, but also to keep your van interior cleaner than ever. Steering wheels can be four times dirtier than toilet seats. Yuk. And your phone, sat nav, buttons and dials can all be breeding grounds for bacteria too.

At the start of each day, spend a little longer getting ready for your day. Give everything a liberal spray of antibacterial and actually clean things with a cloth because spraying alone isn’t going to be enough. Clean out all those used pasty wrappers and dirty tissues. The less in your cab, the less there is to get contaminated so give it a damn good sort out. Give footwells a wipe and all your door handles too.

Take disposable gloves out to open doors safely and if you require a signature on delivery, make sure your handset is anti-bac’ed too. At the end of each day, take your shoes off at the door and get your work clothes in the wash. 

Stop and think when you stop for petrol or a pee. Wear gloves and use elbows to open doors where you can. Resist the urge to pick your nose or touch your face through the day. Easier said than done, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Wash your hands before and after eating (you’ll likely need a packed lunch with all the drive-throughs closing). 

We all need to do our bit and while life goes on (for most of us, for now) for the hardworking van drivers of the UK, we just want to finish by saying thank you for everything you do to keep the country moving. 

Stay safe everyone. 

Van Drivers Still Using their Phones Behind the Wheel

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You know who you are – and according to the latest figures, it’s over half of you who are still insisting on using your mobile phone whilst behind the wheel.

A recent study has found that only 41% of van drivers are doing the right thing and using handsfree or Bluetooth technology to make or receive calls while out on the road.

And 17% of you admit to sending or receiving text messages or posting on the socials, whilst driving too. And it’s the Scots who are most guilty of these cardinal driving sins.

You do realise that by using your phone behind the wheel has not just a fine of £200, but a whopping six penalty points – which would equate to an instant job loss for many of you. It’s something you all need to consider when you think to pick up your phone to check your messages. 

Some studies show that 23% of you don’t even have handsfree set up in your van. 

The average van driver makes around seven calls a day and is on the phone for an average of 37 minutes. 

If ever there was a time that UK hospitals don’t need any additional patients as a result of an accident, it’s now. It’s time to put the phones down and get the Bluetooth up and running. Even if that means you need to wear a silly earpiece. 

And while we are speaking of hospitals, please stay safe out there – if you need to self-isolate, please do so. Jobs can be lost and found, but if you suspect you may have coronavirus, please do the right thing and protect others around you by making sure you take the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.

Van Drivers – what’s ahead with coronavirus?

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Well, it’s a strange time to be alive, that’s for sure. Panic is mounting over the threat of coronavirus and for your average van driver, that could be a good or a bad thing.

The upside is that more and more people are choosing not to go out unnecessarily and have goods and services delivered to them instead. So many of you can look forward to busier weeks ahead (just think, it will be like Christmas all over again with a ton of deliveries each and every day). Happy days?!

The downside, of course, is what happens if you actually get the virus yourself. And being in and out of businesses each day makes you particularly vulnerable not just to catching it, but potentially spreading it too. Get hold of hand sanitizer if you can, don’t be afraid to ask businesses if you can wash your hands at regular times throughout the day and take a large pack of tissues and a van bin to dispose of them. Consider buying and using disposable gloves if you’re coming into a lot of contact with people. 

Many van drivers form the backbone of the gig economy and many are saying they simply can’t afford to take time off if they get sick. With a budget due this week, we hope that the new chancellor makes moves to do something positive to provide financial help to those who need it, should they be sick. Nobody needs a super-spreader making things worse. 

And of course, what happens for those of you who drive longer distances if we get to a stage where travel restrictions are put in place? Smart fleet owners may be able to set up an inter-regional relay type of structure where deliveries still get from a to b, but who knows if handovers will be possible? We’ll need to look to countries like Italy to see how they handle things and if there is anything we can learn from them. 

Hopefully builders and traders won’t see too much impact in the short term, but of course, there may be supply chain issues down the road (no pun intended) with goods from overseas getting to us on time. And there is of course, the threat of recession down the road all around the world, not just here. 

One thing you can do is make sure you keep an eye on your own money and keep hold of what you can in case you need it to get through the months ahead. Thankfully, we can help with that, by offering the best van insurance prices that will help you keep hold of as much of your hard-earned dosh as possible. In the words of one supermarket – every little helps. Just don’t go and blow all your savings on loo roll. 

When you’ve got to go…

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News this week is a study that has been done into Britain’s motorways and how long you’ll have to wait between rest stops.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for those of us down south, it’s the dreaded M25 that tops the poll, with a huge 43-mile gap, between Cobham services in the south-west, to South Mimms, Hertfordshire in the north. Given how terrible traffic usually is, given that the stretch in between includes the exits for Heathrow, the M3, M4 and M40, that could be the longest 43 miles of your life, if you need to pay a visit. Bear in mind too, that Cobham is one of the newest additions to motorway services, and what those poor drivers had to endure previously, when the gap spanned between Westerham in Kent almost half way around the motorway.

The Midlands too, does not escape the agony of busting for a pee on the road. The gap from Warwick to Telford covers a long gap along the M40 and M54. It’s a huge 63 miles to wait, although thankfully, with less traffic than the M25, you may just make it in time. 

Back down south, the dreaded M4 between Reading and Membury also has a long wait of 39 miles between services.

Of course, being busting for a pee and safe driving are not natural bedfellows. You can get easily distracted and find yourself concentrating on that moment of blessed relief, not what is going on the road. And it is never advised that you use the hard shoulder to go – over 100 people a year are killed on the roadside and you don’t want to be part of that statistic. If you really do have to go and there are no services in sight, it’s always recommended that you pull off the motorway and find yourself a pub or petrol station off the busy road and go there. Many sat navs now can be programmed to find your nearest, so use it! 

Just one more word of caution. With the increase of coronavirus that we are seeing, take extra care in keeping your hygiene at its best. If you need to open doors when you get to the services, use your elbows, not your hands, wash your hands thoroughly before and after you go and try and wear gloves when making deliveries. If you have hand sanitizer, use it. A service station could be a prime breeding ground and van drivers will make the perfect super-spreader of the virus, so do your bit to keep yourself and the public safe. 

You may be getting anxious about needing a pee and coronavirus, but at least with Cheap Van Insurance, you don’t need to break a sweat about getting the best renewal price this year. That’s one less thing to worry about.

In the market for a new van?

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It’s that time of year again. The new registration plates are about to be issued next month, and van drivers up and down the country dream wistfully of a brand new, shiny van with all the optional extras a driver could dream of.

And of course, now is the time that the van manufacturers launch their newest models to ensure those who are in the money are ready to show it off from next month with the latest in technology.

This past week, both Mercedes and Volkswagen have showcased their new offerings, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD, and the Volkswagen Caddy V5.

The Mercedes is a veritable force to be reckoned with. With almost unlimited variations and added extras, this is a van driver’s dream. A three-litre turbo diesel V6 engine gives as much grunt as the beefiest Scottish van driver could need for getting up those steep hills and glens. A seven-speed automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive and 325 pounds of torque gives it almost off-road abilities. There’s a 10.5” touchscreen, navigation, in-built cruise control in the premium plus package, while the premium package adds lane assist, a rear camera and active brake assist. There are also options for heated mirrors, an electric step at the back, and illuminated front steps. 

Reported to have incredible visibility and more space in the back than a DPD depot, this doesn’t come cheap, but will undoubtedly be the choice of those for whom money is no object and as an investment for a van that’s read to last the distance.

At the other end of the market, for just£21,000 there’s a new VW Caddy in town. The fifth generation of Caddy, this has all the convenience of a hatchback in van form. There are three versions – the Caddy, Life and Style, with more kit as standard on all models. All the Caddys can carry up to two pallets of goofs in the back, but a revamped dashboard with 10” touchscreen makes being behind the wheel a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience. 

Two petrol and one diesel options are available, and there’s even one that can carry additional passengers too. 

If you are in the market for a new van, don’t forget to fill out our free quote form, to know the best possible van insurance prices out there – with the money you save, you may just be able to stretch to one or two added extras on your van spec!

Van Drivers in Stormy Waters

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Well, hardly surprising in this weather, but van drivers up and down the country have been hitting the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. A DPD driver up in Fordingbridge had to be rescued after his van got swept away by floods when the river burst its banks, (so if you’re expecting a parcel, you may not be getting it). Thankfully, locals were there to pull him to safety. Over in High Wycombe, a van driver was left with serious injuries after being hit by a suspected drug-driver. Meanwhile, in Norfolk, a van driver blamed a drug-induced coma for crashing into a parked car, before hitting the wall of a house before finally stopping when he’d ploughed into a church wall.  Up in Scotland, another van driver finds himself in court after fatally wounding someone during Storm Dylan.

It’s not great on van drivers, is it? While we can’t really say anything about the drug user besides hoping he gets what he deserves, in this stormy weather, the chance of an accident it infinitely higher for us all, and if it’s your work and pay packet that’s at risk… when the weather is this bad, what’s the right thing to do? 

Granted, nobody wants to be on the road when the wind is blowing and the rivers are bursting their banks all around us, but delivery drivers and tradesmen still have jobs to do. Staying home till it passes would leave many without work for more than the duration of the storm. 

It all comes down to balancing the risk. Here are some things you can do.

  • Check the weather forecast before you leave. Know what you’re going to be facing so you can be prepared.
  • Check local news to find out about any floods or accidents. Social media is great for finding local incidents before the news picks them up.
  • Stick to major roads where possible. Avoid back roads and country lanes where trees might be down and you’ll find yourself stuck.
  • Plan your journey and let someone know your intended route. Check in regularly so they know where you’re at. 
  • Don’t travel when the storm is at its worst. If you’re late, you’re late. It’s better than the alternative. 
  • Be prepared. Take warm clothes, a phone charger, blankets and food and drink. If you get stuck, you’ll need it. 
  • Make sure your van is in good nick. Check tyre pressures, oil levels and that there’s nothing preventable that could go wrong. Check your breakdown kit is stocked and ready if needed. 
  • Fill up before each journey. That way, if you need extra fuel, it’s there. 

We hope this is the last of the storms for the year, but, this is Britain, where snow in April isn’t unheard of, so be prepared for anything and stay safe.

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