A new study has revealed that van drivers, long perceived as the aggressors of the UK's roads, are in fact frequent victims of abuse from other motorists.
Research by car manufacturer Peugeot suggests that a significant majority of van drivers feel they are on the receiving end of negative behaviour simply because of the vehicle they drive.
The survey of 1,000 professional van drivers found that a staggering 78% have experienced hostility from other road users. The abuse ranges from being sworn at and tailgated to more serious threats of violence.
More than half half of those surveyed (53%) reported being dangerously cut up on the road, while 51% said they had been verbally abused. More than a quarter (26%) said they had been threatened with violence.
The findings challenge the common stereotype of the "white van man" as a reckless and dangerous driver.
The research indicates that van drivers are acutely aware of this reputation, with nearly 79% of those surveyed believing the abuse they face is a direct result of how they are perceived by the public. A total of 73% said that they feel misunderstood.
The survey revealed that the negative sentiment also has a tangible impact on the daily lives of van drivers, with admitting to altering their routes, parking choices, or general behaviour in order to avoid conflict.
The majority of the drivers surveyed also said that they also feel they have to constantly "prove" that they are good drivers (71%) while on the road, while 61% feel pressure to drive to avoid the stereotype of White Van Man.
Of the van drivers questioned, 67% said that they try to push back against these stereotypes by being mindful of other road users. More than half (53%) argue that they are better drivers than many motorists, because of the skill needed to manoeuvre a large van.
The study also found that van drivers take immense pride in their vans. A massive 96% said that they considered it important to keep their vans clean and well-maintained, contradicting another stereotype, that of the dirty white van.
A third of van drivers clean their vehicle weekly, with a significant number performing daily or bi-weekly maintenance checks.
The perception of van drivers appears to be shifting with the rise of electric vans.
The study found that 64% of electric van drivers feel they are viewed more positively by other road users since switching from diesel model.
