Vans now account for a fifth of all traffic on urban streets and motorways, and that figure is expected to double by 2040. Drivers are spening longer behind the wheel and driving longer distances too – and it’ s taking its toll on the country’ s van drivers.

From aches and pains to stress and fatigue, a day in the life of the average van driver isn’ t always a smooth ride. That’ s why AXA wanted to make sure the UK’ s van drivers are aware of the problems that come from spending too long behind the wheel.

If you’ re tired of the stresses and strains of a day in the driver’ s seat, take a look at AXA’ s video series and find out how to manage some of the most common ailments and issues faced by the nation’ s van drivers.

Strain

Almost 50 % of UK drivers suffer from repetitive strain injury.

The average van covers 13,000 miles per year. That’ s the length of the entire UK almost 15 times. And all that travel is leading to high levels of repetitive strain injury among UK drivers. From foot cramp to eye strain and from lumbar pain to stiff necks, the UK’ s drivers are suffering the negative effects of incorrect driving posture combined with long journeys. AXA’ s video series offers five exercises you can do in your van, as a way of dealing with some of the aches and pains resulting from long periods cooped up behind the wheel.

Stress

20 % of UK van drivers reported feeling stress behind the wheel.

With more vans on the road than ever before, it’ s perhaps unsurprising that one in five van drivers reported feeling stress on our busy roads. What’ s even more worrying is that a massive 81 % of UK drivers have been the victim of road rage at some point while on the roads. Stress on the road has also been linked to adverse health effects such

as elevated blood pressure in the long term, so if you start to feel anxious behind the wheel, it’ s important to take a break to relax and calm yourself.

Apps like Headspace could help you de-stress after a long drive, or a quick cup of tea, some deep breaths and fresh air could do wonders for your mood.

Fatigue

40 % of sleep-related accidents involve commercial vehicles. In a recent stufy, AXA found 46 % of van drivers said they drive between three and six hours a day for work. And worryingly, although the law restricts a driving day to ten hours, 2 % of those surveyed admitted to regularly driving more than ten hours a day.

UK government guidelines only stipulate a 30-minute break after five and a half

hours behind the wheel for van drivers. However, try to take a 15-minute break every two hours on long journeys. Remember, the only real cure for sleepiness is a proper sleep, but for more tips on beating fatigue behind the wheel, visit AXA’ s website.

https:// www. axa. co. uk / insurance / business / business-guardian-angel / stresses-and-strains-ofa-van-driver /