“We are more considerate on the road than anyone else.”

By Liam Osborne, Jamila Robertson, Ben Bloom, Gemma Francis and Tom Perry

WHITE van men are hitting back after a national AA survey labelled them among the worst drivers in the UK.

Wimbledon van drivers strongly disagree with 21% of the 14,743 AA members surveyed, who say they are annoying and reckless on the roads.

The myth that white van men are a road menace with poor driving skills has been popular since the phrase was coined in 1997.

But Oliver Naismith, 24, from A2B Budget Van Rental, says the findings are a load of rubbish.

“White van men are some of the best because we spend so much time on the road and we’re more used to it,” he said.

“We are more considerate on the road than anyone else.”

The survey, released on 16^th November as part of the AA and Autocar’s ‘Drive Better’ campaign, ranked them fifth behind boy racers, unthankful drivers, those who listen to loud music with windows open and show-offs.

A Push and Pull Removals spokesman said: “They know exactly what they’re doing.

“Only 1 in 1,000 is dangerous and most are good. When you see an accident on the road it is rarely a van driver.”

According to 2008 Tesco Van Insurance statistics, van drivers make 8% fewer and smaller claims compared to car drivers.

James Nash of Direct Line says van drivers usually only make a claim after their vehicle has been broken into by thieves.

“On the evidence it would appear they are safer drivers because they make very few claims compared to normal car drivers,” he said.

A similar 2003 AA survey revealed van drivers were the safest on Britain’s roads – showing only 17% made claims on their insurance policies compared to 25% of car drivers.

However, London Delta Movers van driver David Boyle supports the findings of the recent survey.

He said: “I spend a lot of time on the road in the UK – especially London, which is one of the worst places to drive.

“The majority of people are rude and discourteous and do some crazy things. I have adjusted my habits because of what I have seen on the road.”

AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet said there are more white van men on the road these days because smaller businesses find vans provide the best form of transport, and there has been an increase in online shopping.

“People are becoming more aware of their presence and quite often they are working to delivery deadlines so they can appear to be more aggressive,” he added.

Picture by Michal Zacharzewski