Vans (and SUV's) are involved in collisions on our roads more often than passenger cars. It is important to realise that Vans have different characteristics than cars. If you drive a van infrequently and are less experienced it is important that you consider these differences and drive safely. The most common errors come from reversing unsafely, braking and rollovers.
The following is a list of tips for home insurance:
- Reversing - Statistically, reversing is an unusually risky manoeuvre in vans. This is because of limited visibility and Vans generally have less rear windows or none at all causing large blind spots, which mean reversing using only your side mirrors in some cases.
Where possible plan your reversing manoeuvre ahead, park so that you can drive forward when leaving, rather than reversing into traffic later. Beware of blind spots, which are significantly larger than a car and make sure your mirrors are adjusted correctly. In a very tricky spot you should get out or the vehicle and check your clearances all around.
- Braking - Don't follow other vehicles too closely when driving vans and other high profile vehicles, the cars behind you cannot see ahead because of your vans high profile, so keep your distance from the vehicle in front and you will reduce the risk of getting shunted by the car behind in the event that you must brake suddenly.
Remember the standard two-second distance rule when keeping following the vehicle in front? This rule is a minimum for normal sized vehicles (cars!) in perfect dry conditions with a good road surface. In a van, you should maintain a greater distance, at least 3 or 4 seconds. There are a number of good reasons for this when driving a van. Vans are often built on the same chassis as a passenger car, and many do not have heavy-duty brakes and suspensions that a truck should have. This increases the distances needed for stopping and indicates the need for greater following distances. Also, the more weight you are carrying the longer it takes to stop, same thing for speed. Combine the two and you have a potentially deadly situation, all while you sit in blissful, air-conditioned and distracted comfort! Keep your distance – back off and slow down, especially with a full load on board!
- Rollovers - Vans and SUVs are often unstable driving platforms. With higher centers of gravity, the ability to carry more weight, and the added the energy developed by weight and speed, it is EASY to cause a rollover simply by introducing a sudden (even relatively minor) outside force, and especially when a turning movement introduces centrifugal force into the mix. Crosswinds, passing trucks, busses, acting on a high profile vehicle like a van, can introduce the sudden triggering force needed to initiate a rollover.
- The weight of a fully loaded, full-size van can easily exceed 11,000 lbs (5,000Kg). - Even at slightly over 80 Kph / 50 Mph, this equals 3.2 million foot-pounds of force that will be expended in any collision. You need to make sure you, your passengers, and the occupants of the vehicles around you are not the ones that absorb these forces.
When driving a van, reduce your risks. Make sure tires are properly inflated and in good condition. Make no sudden turns, especially in wet conditions. Adjust the drivers seat and wear seat belts, make sure mirrors are properly adjusted. Control your passengers. Do not overload the van; know the limits and don’t exceed them. Keep weight loaded low in the vehicle. Use two hands on the steering wheel at all times. Keep your speeds lower and slow down before reaching curves in the road. Be aware at all times of road and weather conditions.
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