The report – available here – has been published to give an overview of van safety issues in Europe, and to encourage and enable van fleet operators to navigate European legislation and apply good practice measures for their drivers and businesses.

In line with frameworks such as ISO 39001 or the Haddon Matrix, the report focuses on the business case, vehicle management, journey management and compliance-led driver management.

Topics covered include safer drivers, including drivers hours, training, roadworthiness, type approval, speed limiters and risk assessment; safer vehicles; activity patterns including journey planning, fatigue and stress management; and compliance with key traffic safety rules.

The report was launched at the 2014 ETSC PRAISE Awards, which saw fleets including Arriva, Unilever and Bolk Transport recognised for their major commitment to fleet safety.  

The organisation added: ‘While ETSC believes it is in the public interest to tackle safety issues associated with this vehicle category at the European and Member State legislative and non-legislative level, employers should also work to reduce the overall risk exposure of van drivers and ensure that drivers and their vehicles are fit for the road.

‘With this in mind, we offer recommendations to businesses throughout the report, together with policy recommendations for national and European-level legislators.’