Vehicle Safety & Vehicle Security
May 2025
Driver Managers – improve your understanding
Our monthly fleet focus delves deeper into some of the key road safety topics to improve your understanding, with free resources for you to share with your drivers.
Each month’s topic sits in a library so, as the library grows each month, you can access a bank of resources at any time to help you improve driver safety in your organisation.
Vehicle Safety & Vehicle Security
Van and truck drivers are essential to our economy, but they also face a unique set of safety and security challenges. Not only do they have to worry about the usual road hazards, but they also have to be vigilant against theft and terrorism.
Did you know that over 12,000 vans were stolen in 2022? And that’s not even counting the 34,000 thefts from inside vans. Thieves often target tools, packages, and personal belongings left in vans. But theft isn’t the only threat commercial vehicle drivers face. In recent years, there has been a growing number of terrorist attacks using vehicles as weapons. Commercial vehicles are particularly vulnerable to being used in this way.
So what can your drivers do to stay safe and secure? Share the following advice with them:
First, always park in a well-lit area and double-check that your vehicle is locked before leaving it. Never leave valuables in sight, and consider investing in extra security measures like steering wheel locks or alarms. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when loading or unloading your vehicle. If you see something suspicious, report it to the authorities. And if you believe you are being followed, drive to a safe location and call the emergency services. Remember, your safety and security are paramount.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep yourself, your vehicle, and your belongings safe.
More Expert Insight: Vehicle Security
With vehicle crime and tool theft an ever-increasing scourge across the country, it has never been more important to maintain best practice when it comes to fleet security.
The consequences of these crimes can be hugely damaging. Not only can they result in significant financial losses, but such acts also hamper productivity, disrupt project timelines, and undermine worker morale. Ultimately, the theft of essential tools and damage to vehicles can lead to delays, affecting the completion of tasks and the reputation of the company involved.
More Expert Insight: Vehicle Safety
In 2018, Euro NCAP analysed the market and revealed a huge discrepancy in the safety equipment between cars and vans, even from the same manufacturer.
The reason was clear.
There little more than lacklustre regulation in the van market, unlike with passenger cars, where the Euro NCAP 5 Star safety rating has been a badge of honour for 25 years. What does this mean for fleet operators today?
Driver Resources – Vehicle Safety & Vehicle Security
What’s in the Resource Download
Download a zip file with additional resources to share with your drivers including:
- An article to share with your drivers on Vehicle Safety and Vehicle Security
- Short safety messages to send to your drivers on their devices
- Posters for your staff noticeboards
- Information sheets from our Van Driver Toolkit
Resources include:
Driver Poster – Read The Manual
Driver Poster – Petrified
Driver Poster – Opportunity Knocks
Driver Poster – Vanished
Driver Poster – Hacked
Van Driver Toolkit – Vehicle Security
Van Driver Toolkit – Vehicle Safety
