The Hidden Dangers Of A Messy Van: Why Clutter Could Cost You Big

How many drivers have messy vans?

It probably didn’t start that way.

But over time, life gets busy, and you’ll “tidy up next time.”

We all know “next time” rarely comes.

Suddenly, you’ve got cans, coffee cups, and wrappers piling up in the cab.

Sound familiar?

But is it really a problem?

Actually, yes—it can be.

Imagine something on the floor rolling over to the driver’s compartment.

What could happen then?

Two things are likely.

You need to brake, but there’s something lodged under the pedals.

Or, you decide to move it—and now, you’re distracted.

Both situations can lead to serious consequences.

If your van’s too messy, you could even face fines and points on your licence.

Did you know?

While there’s no specific law against a messy van, Rules 117-121 and 144 of the Highway Code might still apply.

Law enforcement, for instance, could easily notice you struggling with clutter.

As a result, depending on the severity, you might face a fine of up to £5000.

And in the unfortunate case where a fatality occurs due to distraction?

A prison sentence may inevitably follow.

Think it’s rare?

Apparently, millions of drivers leave rubbish in their vehicles.

But if your van looks more like a skip, it’s time to clean up.

Take it home.

But don’t throw rubbish out of the window.

Rule 147 of the Highway Code prohibits that too.

This includes cigarette ends and all that clutter.

Remember, it’s about consideration for others—especially cyclists and motorcyclists.

Is your insurance up to date?

Now’s a good time to check.

Use our quick 3-minute form form to find the cheapest options online.

Van Driver Fails You Won’t Believe: Stuck in Sand and Under Bridges

Stuck In The Middle With You

Well, actually, it was more like stuck in the sand for one unlucky AA van driver.

The call seemed straightforward: rescue a stranded van and driver at Porth Beach in Newquay.

But things didn’t go as planned.

The AA van itself got stuck in the sand.

Locals quickly jumped into action.

They worked alongside the AA driver to free both vehicles.

We can only assume the original stranded driver joined the efforts too.

It took nearly an hour to free both vehicles.

But this wasn’t an isolated incident.

It’s not the first time the AA has ended up stuck while responding to a rescue.

On a previous occasion, even a tow truck was required to save both vehicles.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

Over Easter, a Transporter van and a Mazda car met the same sandy fate.

The story doesn’t end there.

Just down the road at Great Western Beach, it’s a regular occurrence.

In the past year, more than a dozen cars have needed rescue from the sand.

Why Are People Driving Onto The Beach?

It’s a good question.

Maybe they didn’t feel like walking.

Hopefully, they’ll think twice before trying it again.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Now, let’s talk about another kind of stuck.

One unfortunate van driver found themselves in a different predicament.

Not in the sand this time.

But wedged under a bridge.

The road had to be closed.

Despite numerous warnings about the low bridge, the van became firmly lodged.

How Could This Happen?

Above the bridge, there’s bright yellow writing.

It clearly states LOW BRIDGE.

There are also multiple signs alerting drivers to the height restriction.

Yet bridge strikes still happen.

Didn’t They See The Signs?

Some drivers seem to think they can squeeze through.

Or maybe they just don’t notice the warnings.

Reality hits fast.

A van measuring 7’3” simply won’t fit under a 7-foot bridge.

What happens next?

Deflating the tyres is often the only way to get unstuck.

That’s four flat tyres.

If you’re lucky, it might work.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to pay more attention to those signs.

Better check your insurance to see if it covers getting stuck in unusual places then.

Luckily for you, it won’t take long at all with our quick 3-minute form.

 

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