‘White van man’ – Britain’s secret superhero
14th May 2015
New research has blasted apart the traditional ‘white van man’ stereotype and unveiled a new ‘hero of the highways’ – selfless, responsible and with a strong moral code.
From helpful acts to heroic deeds, the survey by AXA Business Insurance found that van drivers have a strong sense of civic duty and an active concern for the safety of other road users.
While it is unsurprising perhaps that more than half of UK van drivers use their vehicles to help friends and family with a lift or furniture move, they are also taking on an additional level of care and responsibility for the wider motoring community.
- 78% said they’d pull over to help an injured person.
- 75% said they’d stop to help someone who has been knocked over.
- 72% said they’d help out in an accident or crash situation.
In addition, 66% would pull over to help a vulnerable-looking individual, 65% would stop to help the victim of an attack, 44% would stop to help a driver in a broken down vehicle and 28% would intervene in an incidence of road rage.
Male drivers aged 45 to 54 were most likely to stop and help a stranger, while women aged 55 to 64 were more likely to use their vehicle for the benefit of someone they already know.
“The boorish, selfish and aggressive characteristics associated with the label ‘white van man’ are outdated, unjust and unfair,” said the company’s MD Darrell Sansom. “We know from our research that people who drive for a living are generally professional and assured behind the wheel. They are less likely than other drivers to break laws related to speed and drink-driving, and they are safer and more confident when handling heavy traffic, roundabouts and overtaking.
“But this latest survey shows they also have high levels of responsibility and care for other road users, and shows how out of touch the stereotype has become. In my view, we need to reclaim the label and take back the term. White van man is the nation’s secret superhero. Let’s celebrate him and her as such.”