Advanced driver assistance technologies — such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and blind spot warning — have prevented accidents for 45% of UK van drivers in the last year, according to a study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The research revealed that parking and reversing incidents were the most common for drivers, with parking representing 27% of all accidents. Bumps and scrapes from reversing accounted for 18% of the total.

The survey also found that the average cost of van repairs is rising, now hitting £534.25, up from £525.63 the year before. With van drivers already feeling the squeeze — almost half (48%) of respondents said the cost of running a business was a major concern — these rising costs underscore the significant impact that even a minor accident can bring.

Of course, Volkswagen has a solution to these woes, as a range of driver-assistance systems designed to provide a smoother and safer drive are fitted to its vans. Among Volkswagen’s van safety tech is Park Assist, which helps minimise the risk of bumps and scrapes when parking, while an optional rear-view camera helps drivers to navigate as they reverse, reducing the risk of an accident for the two biggest problems drivers face.

Van safety tech includes Volkswagen Park Assist
Volkswagen Park Assist visualisation

Brake Assist technology substantially shortens a vehicle’s stopping distance in emergencies by detecting traffic likely to cause a conflict and applying the brakes if needed, working to avoid an accident.

“With repair costs on the rise, the impact that accidents can have on the day-to-day running of a business is significant,” Alice Axtell, product marketing manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “This is why our vehicles are equipped with a range of advanced driver-assistance technology, many as standard, to help drivers avoid incidents that can put their van out of action and help keep business running smoothly.”

Phil Huff
Latest posts by Phil Huff (see all)
Published on