Vans become the DGT's new surveillance target

Vans are the main surveillance target of the DGT’s new campaign, especially on conventional roads, industrial estates, and loading and unloading areas.

Extra caution for van drivers! From Monday 23 to Friday, July 27, the DGT is launching a special campaign to step up checks on vans. Let’s remember that vans can be driven with the same driving licence as any car, namely category B, despite having different characteristics that mean they don’t handle the same way.

Over these five days, checkpoints will be set up on roads, especially conventional ones, where the highest accident rate is recorded, as well as in areas near shopping centres, industrial estates, and loading and unloading areas.

Officers will check speed to detect any infringement, however minor, as well as the vehicle’s and the driver’s documentation. Random inspections of the cargo being transported, as well as alcohol and drug tests, will also be carried out, all in an effort to improve road safety.

One of the possible differences resulting from this increased surveillance of vans may be the differences in how they are driven compared to cars.

Just to give one example, the differences in speed limits on the different types of road are clear:

• Vehicles derived from cars and adaptable mixed-use vehicles are not allowed to exceed 100 km/h on motorways/dual carriageways, 90 km/h on conventional roads with a 1.5-metre hard shoulder, and 80 km/h on all other roads outside built-up areas.
• As for vans, they must not exceed a maximum speed of 90 km/h on motorways/dual carriageways, 80 km/h on conventional roads with a 1.5 m hard shoulder, and 70 km/h on all other roads outside built-up areas.

Another reason for this extra surveillance is the heavy loads carried by many of these vans, which create considerable instability in the vehicle, even more pronounced under the influence of wind. Correct loading is also crucial, and is one of the main reasons for the DGT’s extra surveillance. It would not be the first time that a load has come loose and caused accidents on the road.

So, to all you van drivers, you know what to do: take special care not only this week, but always. Make sure you comply with the rules set by the DGT, especially regarding load distribution, signage, and weight.

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