Van drivers and the conjestion headache
A new study has found that spending time stuck in traffic is the biggest headache for van drivers. It is the number one thing that would improve van drivers’ working lives, according to new research.
Almost half (46%) of van drivers in the UK said it would help improve their job satisfaction, according to the 2023 European Driver Study from Webfleet. This was closely followed by better road infrastructure, cited by 44 per cent, while increased road safety took third place with 36 per cent of the vote.
Beverley Wise, Webfleet regional director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said the research showed that mounting pressures for commercial fleets to boost productivity were filtering down to drivers in the field.
By supporting them with digital solutions to improve their lives behind the wheel, fleets can not only help to promote a happy and engaged workforce, boosting talent recruitment and retention, but they are also better placed to deliver higher standards of customer service,
she added.
Europewide, 68 per cent of drivers cited traffic congestion as either extremely challenging or challenging when asked to rate potential issues on the roads, making it the joint most challenging factor cited in the report.
Increased road safety was the most commonly cited response among van drivers Europewide when asked what would make their jobs better. This issue was found to be particularly prevalent in Italy, where more than half (51%) of those drivers surveyed said they wanted safer roads.
Despite the challenges that UK drivers face, job satisfaction remains high, with 91 per cent reporting that they are either extremely satisfied or satisfied with their jobs. More than half (51%), meanwhile, said that doing their job well was important to them.
This research paints a very clear picture of the work our van drivers do, the problems they encounter and the support they need, added Wise.
There are variations between countries, but it’s clear to see that traffic, safety and infrastructure are persistent pain points across the continent.
