Van Drivers Health Warning: 8 Top Tips to Combat Risks
Britain’s four million van drivers have been warned of the serious health risks they face from sitting behind the wheel every day. Motoring experts from LeaseVan issued the warning after researching the health dangers of being seated in a driving position for up to eight hours every day. With millions of van drivers spending the majority of their working lives sat behind the wheel the researchers found they were at increased risk of health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Jobs, such as driving, which feature prolonged periods in a seated position were even found to be linked with increased cancer risks. LeaseVan supply thousands of vans across the UK each year but estimate that many drivers could be overweight as they struggle to get enough exercise. Here are LeaseVan top tips for drivers to stay healthy: Plan your meals. By preparing lunch the night before drivers can avoid greasy takeaways and save cash too. Know your routes. Drivers are encouraged to research their routes and not rely too heavily on sat nav. Knowing the route can help them avoid congestion trouble spots and reduce time spent sitting. Take regular breaks. Even pulling over and stepping out for two minutes can make a massive difference. Park away from the job. Van drivers should avoid pulling up right outside an address. By parking on the next street they can gain vital exercise. Grab your tools. It’s difficult for drivers to find the time to visit the gym but by using the tools of the trade they can easily fit a workout in during their working day. A toolbox makes a great weight for curls and lunges. Use the van. Even the vehicle itself can be utilised as a mobile gym with drivers blasting out push ups and dips while parked up. Be mindful. Drivers should try to stay calm and avoid anger and frustration while out on the roads. So take a deep breath and simply smile if cut up. Track it. Drivers can use an app on their phone to measure activity and record hours sat down at work. The researchers found that life on the road also led to a poor diet for many drivers who are forced to dine at garages and motorway service stations. Now the company has issued a health warning to drivers to make them aware of the risks they face from their sedentary lifestyle. They are also offering eight top health tips, encouraging drivers to take regular breaks and make the time to climb out of their vans and get some exercise. Grabbing a tool box to blast out some bicep curls while safely parked or even utilising their vehicles for a quick set of tricep dips off the back bumper were just two of the tips LeaseVan offered drivers. They also urged drivers to use their smartphones to track the hours they spent sitting and also download a fitness app to encourage them to exercise during a lunch or coffee break throughout the day. Gareth Roberts from LeaseVan said: “Britain’s van drivers are the lifeblood of the UK economy. They are often small business owners who do a hectic and stressful job navigating busy roads to attend to their customers. They are sat behind the wheel for much of the day yet despite being seated their stress levels are often sky high as they deal with traffic jams and other road users. This leads to an increase in adrenaline and stress hormone cortisol in the blood stream so it’s little wonder many drivers struggle with health issues such as diabetes and obesity. We have issued our warning just to remind van drivers that they need to prioritise their own health as highly as their devotion to getting the job done. We understand that many work incredibly long hours and it can be difficult to make the right food choices or find time to exercise but a little meal planning and a few improvised exercises in the van itself can make a huge difference. Some experts have commented that sitting down all day is the new smoking. We are saying to van drivers just get out from behind the steering wheel throughout the day and stay healthy. The health risks they face should not be ignored and we take every drivers well-being very seriously. Our strategy outlines a few small ways in which they can improve their health, which we hope will make a big difference.” for more information from LeaseVan please click here
Fine Reminder For Van drivers
Experts from leasing giant LeaseVan conducted research and outlined the costly fines van and truck drivers could face if prosecuted on Britain’s roads. The research highlights the cost of fines for road users who commit minor and serious motoring offences. While the study looked specifically at van and truck drivers it highlights issues that all motorists face. Penalties can range from a £2,500 maximum fine for speeding to a £20 on-the-spot ticket for leaving a vehicle’s engine running. Tim Alcock from LeaseVan said: “Recent changes have been made to increase fines for offences such as speeding, which could result in hefty costs for many of Britain’s most frequent road-users if they aren’t careful. As van drivers are regularly out on the road travelling between jobs, we wanted to make them aware of the possible fines they could incur while behind the wheel. Fines always seem to come at the wrong time of the year, when money is tight and the last thing you need to do is fork out tens if not hundreds of pounds on avoidable fines. This is why we have outlined the substantial costs some fines can carry so that drivers think twice next time they are over the speed limit or gamble on an amber light.” Here are the costs of some of the most common motoring offences: 1. Speeding New laws put forward last year have increased fines for serious speeding offences. A £100 fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence was the maximum penalty speeders faced. Now, fines have been split into three bands, A, B and C, where the most serious Band C offences carry a maximum fine of £2,500. Most Band C cases will now take the equivalent of 150% of a prosecuted driver’s weekly income – which is no small fee. For example, someone earning a salary of £25,000 a year will have to hand over a minimum of £720, plus six penalty points for the pleasure. 2. Mobile Phone Drivers could get a £200 fine and six penalty points on a licence, if caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. The maximum fine for this offence is £1000 if the driver is taken to court. It is also important to be aware that drivers can still be prosecuted even if you are using a mobile phone in your van while stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. 3. Failing to stop at traffic lights Being an amber gambler could save two minutes on a commute to work but could also end up being a £100 fine with three penalty points. If a motorist has failed to stop at a red light they may be offered to participate on a driver awareness course as an alternative. However, the course will still cost around £90 so don’t take the chance. 4. Careless driving Driving in an inconsiderate fashion could get drivers an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three points on their licence. In West Yorkshire, a man was fined almost £1000 and given five penalty points for hogging the middle lane on the motorway. 5. Smoking inside a vehicle An inconspicuous offence but one that could cost van drivers an on-the-spot fine of £50. If an apprentice or anyone else under the age of 18 is in the van while a driver or passenger smokes, it is illegal. 6. Switching off the engine A lesser known law but one that van drivers should be aware of is when the driver is sitting in their van – either eating lunch or waiting for another worker – they must turn their engine off. If not the driver could face an on-the-spot fine of £20. For more information from LeaseVan please click here
