White Van Man celebrates tenth anniversary

They've been moaned about by road users for years, but the White Van Man yesterday celebrated a decade on the road and came out fighting with a robust defence of their reputation.

It's was 10 years ago this month that the term White Van Man (WVM) was coined by radio personality Sarah Kennedy on her BBC Radio 2 programme.

And ever since, WVM has been "stereotyped" as the rudest and most impatient of road-users.

But now he has hit back in a major survey of WVM by major insurance company, Cornhill Direct.

A whopping 93 per cent claim they are impeccable drivers and the stereotype they have been labelled with is completely unjust.

Over 1,500 White Van drivers were polled to mark their 10th anniversary. The survey revealed that three quarters said they get a bad press due to a tiny proportion of van drivers who behave badly.

They also claim BMW drivers are the worst on the roads and women in large 'Chelsea tractors' are clueless when it comes to the Highway Code.

An admirable 82 per cent say they have NEVER made a rude hand gesture, a whopping 90 per cent NEVER use their mobile behind the wheel and 93 per cent NEVER park on double yellow lines.

BBC Radio 2 presenter, Sarah Kennedy, is less than convinced that White Van Man really deserves a better press. She said: "Well they would say that wouldn't they! I am still not convinced that White Van Man is a force for good on our roads. I believe that most road users would say that the way White Van Man behaves often leaves a lot to be desired.

"Some white van drivers may be responsible but I am afraid that there are still many that drive too fast and too aggressively. Let's see if White Van Man has mended his ways by the time the next anniversary comes along but my hopes are not high."

A very honourable 70 per cent of WVM said they would stop and help an old lady who had broken down.

It sounds too good to be true - but 17 per cent say they do like to play loud music and a mere three per cent say they occasionally jump a red light.

More than half of those surveyed said they took great pride in the vehicle they drive and more than a quarter claim to be offended by the negative WMV stereotype.

They do have their limits though as 31 per cent of van drivers said it annoyed them when kids wrote in the dirt on their vehicle.

But 28 per cent of White Van Men said they thought their vehicle might seem intimidating to other road users - hence their bad reputation.

Defending White Van Man, Mark Bishop from Cornhill Direct, said: "They come in for a lot of criticism so It's about time White Van Man had a chance to have his say.

''It's easy to stereotype certain groups of motorists but the truth is these guys are driving for the majority of the day and on the whole are experienced, knowledgeable drivers who actually have a pretty good accident record.

''We have recognised that van drivers are responsible road users and are offering motor insurance specifically aimed at White Van Man, and White Van Woman for that matter."

White Van Man John Ellis, 28, from Newport, said: "It's unrealistic to think that drivers of white vans can go around abusing other motorists and speeding.

''People don't seem to realise that if I were to drive badly or break the law, I might get points on my licence or even a ban. If that were to happen I would instantly lose my job, so it's in my best interest to drive well.

''I'm driving all day, everyday so my driving is above standard I would say. Motorists can be sneaky though and I have got mates that have had people ring up their companies that are advertised on the van and shop them for speeding or jumping red lights.''

A third of respondents said they had their company advertised on the side of their van and therefore always drove with caution.

Only ten per cent have had other motorists ring the number on the van and complain about the way the vehicle was being driven.

BRITAINS WORST ROAD USERS (ACCORDING TO WHITE VAN MAN)

BMW drivers
Women in 4x4's
Boy racers
Sunday drivers
Sales Reps
Land Rover drivers
Taxi drivers
Porsche drivers
Cyclists
Volkswagen drivers
Learner drivers
Alpha Romeo drivers
Motorcyclists
Vauxhall drivers
Citroën drivers
Caravaners
Bus drivers
OAP's
Tractor drivers
Lorry drivers