Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says modern safety assistance systems helped almost half of UK van drivers avoid at least one accident last year, according to new research.
The brand surveyed 1,000 UK van drivers and found that 45% said Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) prevented one or more incidents in 2025.
One in five drivers, equivalent to 19%, reported avoiding multiple accidents over the past 12 months thanks to the technology.
Parking sensors were identified as the most effective feature. Among drivers who had narrowly avoided a collision, 58% credited parking sensors with preventing an accident. Collision warning systems were next at 40%, followed by park assist at 32% and speed assistance at 27%.
Lane assist was cited by 23% of respondents, while autonomous emergency braking accounted for 22%. Driver drowsiness monitoring was highlighted by 15% of drivers as playing a role in avoiding an incident.
The findings underline how central safety technology has become in the day-to-day operation of working vans. With drivers spending an average of 5.5 hours behind the wheel on a typical working day, confidence in vehicle systems is increasingly seen as essential. According to the survey, 74% of van drivers said ADAS makes them feel safer on the road.
The latest Volkswagen Transporter comes with rear parking sensors as standard, alongside lane assist, a driver alert system and intelligent cruise control. Autonomous emergency braking and radar-camera fusion technology are also available. The new Transporter also recently achieved a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, reflecting its safety credentials.
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Simon Jeffreys, product marketing manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The safety of van drivers and other road users is always a top priority at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This data demonstrates that safety technology is significantly benefitting drivers in real-world scenarios, while supporting drivers to feel safer on the road. Our vehicles are equipped with a range of the latest safety assist technologies, many as standard, enabling drivers to get back to focusing on what really matters to their business.”
