From today until November 26, the DGT maintains a special control operation on the roads. This is a new campaign that, this time, has vans in its focus. This is not the first time that the Traffic Agency has focused on this type of specimen, nor is it the first time it has done so at this time of year. The choice of these dates is strategic: it coincides with the celebration of Black Friday, an initiative that seeks to promote purchases with the discount application.
Many consumers take advantage of these promotions to advance Christmas shopping, which increases commercial activity, also in the online sector. The increase in online sales in turn leads to an increase in delivery operations for products purchased on the Internet; and this translates into the intensification of the circulation of goods delivery vehicles.
According to the DGT, during this week delivery companies estimate that they can make up to 4.6 million daily shipments, most using vans. In 2022, these vehicles, which represent 7% of the national park with 2.6 million copies, were involved in a total of 9,242 accidents with victims: 221 people died (79 were occupants of vans and 142 were in other vehicles or were pedestrians) and 210 van occupants were injured and hospitalized. These figures represent a 7% increase in the number of accidents and a 30% increase in the number of deaths.
With the aim of guaranteeing road safety these days, Traffic, in coordination with local police, will establish surveillance points on all types of roads, especially on conventional roads (they are the ones with the highest accident rate), as well as in nearby areas. to shopping centers, industrial estates and loading and unloading places.
The agents will especially check that the maximum permitted speed limits are respected (they are different from those of a car or motorcycle), that the vehicle and driver documentation are in order and that the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) is current. Likewise, they will carry out alcohol and drug tests, as well as verify that the weight of the transported cargo is legal and its placement is appropriate (carrying it poorly stowed or loose poses a risk). In the event that they detect any violation, they will proceed to impose the corresponding sanction, whether it be a fine, deduction of points or even immobilization of the horse.
It is important to keep in mind that driving a van is not the same as driving a car, even though both can be driven with the same B license: their dynamic and usage characteristics are different.
Its greater weight and size, as well as its worse aerodynamics, change the driving experience completely. The vehicle does not respond the same to some sudden actions that could be done with a car without problems, nor will it behave the same in the event of a side wind; It is a more unstable vehicle, since the center of gravity is higher.
As we have indicated, its weight is greater (especially when transporting goods), so it is necessary to maintain a greater safety distance from the preceding vehicle to be able to stop completely in the event of emergency braking.
The load must be perfectly secured, not only to help stabilize the vehicle, but failing to do so can lead to consequences in the event of an accident. This must be distributed evenly, placing the heaviest objects on the interior platform, between the two axles.
