Overview
- An online OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK van drivers reports 51% were sworn at, 50% received obscene gestures, and 26% faced threats of physical violence in the past year.
- Most respondents (79%) attribute hostility to negative stereotypes of van drivers, and 73% say they feel misunderstood by the public.
- More than half (53%) consider themselves more skilled than the average motorist, and 67% say they make a conscious effort to be considerate on the road.
- Drivers report strong professional habits: 96% say keeping their van clean is important, 73% clean at least weekly, 66% check for maintenance issues more than once a week, and 70% cite safety as their top motivation.
- Electric van drivers report a reputational lift, with 64% feeling they are seen more positively since switching and 56% noting positive reactions when charging, with coverage referencing the UK plug-in van grant extension to 2027 and eligible Peugeot models.