Report finds that vans are backing into trouble
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• The number of accidents caused by reversing vans has increased dramatically, according to an independent study.
The findings of the University of Huddersfield's transport and logistics department also suggest that the Government's official statistics grossly underestimate the problem.
The proportion of reversing accidents involving vans rose from 19% in 1996 to 26% last year, according to the DOT.
But researchers found that because 85% of the accidents happened either at delivery and collection points or within the operator's own premises, they were missed by the Government's official statistics. plier Brigade Electronics.
The average non-fatality cost of each reversing accident was calculated to be £469. About half of all commercial vehicles in the UK are fitted with reversing alarms, but the report found that many of these were fitted only after an accident had occurred.
While the fitting of these devices is not mandatory, the report found instances where operators had been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for not taking sufficient steps to ensure that reversing was as safe as possible.
Copies of the Huddersfield report cost £20 from Dr Murray on 01484 472499.