The rise of logistics and e-commerce has led to vans, in general, gaining prominence on roads and in cities. Therefore, we are now facing a scenario that poses new challenges. challenges for road safety and the management of daily traffic. And, as expected, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) doesn't want to miss the opportunity to "stick its nose in." Its managers, as usual, have thought about how to make vans "safer" for everyone. Right?
To share their data and insights, they recently held a technical workshop. The DGT brought together experts, other companies, and law enforcement agencies to open a "healthy" debate and articulate a specific plan for vans. All this in a new scenario in which we are faced with a type of vehicle that, by its nature, has become between passenger cars and trucks Without a comprehensive strategy of their own. Now they're interested in vans, which, being more problematic, are easier to collect...
What makes vans different and why they are a concern…
By definition, vans do not exceed 3.500 kg of maximum authorized mass (up to 4.250 kg if they are electric). They are driven with a B license and are not required to have a tachograph. This makes them easier to use, but also requires more refined security controls and guidelinesIn this context, the DGT emphasizes that they have been in the "background" compared to other vehicles with their own permits, inspections and plans, which is why they are being promoted a comprehensive surveillance, training and prevention strategy focused on its operational reality.
A sprawling and aging park that creates problems…
The van fleet has grown strongly in the last decade, with a +23% increase compared to 15% of passenger cars, and now represents around 8,8% of the kilometers traveled in Spain. But this progress coexists with a marked aging. Nearly 40% are over 20 years old and the average age of the fleet is around 12 years; in fatal accidents, the average age of the vehicles involved rises to 16,7 yearsThe type of vehicle seen on the roads also changes.
Now the van with the highest capacity is gaining weight, with a sustained increase in those with more than 1.000 kg of payload, while The lightest ones barely represent a small share of registrations. Use is intensive, especially among newer models, which average around 28.000 km per yearIn public freight transport, the distance traveled exceeds 50.000 km, and in construction or maintenance, the typical distance traveled is between 15.000 and 20.000 km per year.
Increase in accidents and risk factors…
The most recent data from the Road Safety Observatory show a notable increase. On interurban roads, deaths occurred. 79 van occupants, almost double the previous year, and the number of injured requiring hospitalization increased from 138 to 190. Among the most common causes is the presence of alcohol, drugs, or psychotropic drugs. 41% of drivers died tested positive in toxicological tests, a risk factor that aggravates the consequences in the event of an accident.
Added to this are conduct and omissions that worsen the damage picture, such as not wearing a seatbelt, present in a significant proportion of victims, and irregular maintenance that can result in defective tires, brakes or lighting.
The DGT and Civil Guard plan: four axes and reinforced controls…
The DGT and the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard have formed a working group that orders its actions in four axis: mobility, accidents, communication and prevention/operational planning. An already published instruction specifies a large Surveillance and Control Operational Plan which will combine several preventive, deterrent, and training actions, with special attention to urban and peri-urban environments, access to metropolitan areas, logistics centers, and industrial estates.
Among the planned actions are: new recurring static controls and dynamic surveillance with patrols (camouflaged and uniformed), focusing on speeding, alcohol and drugs, distractions, cargo stowage. The device also provides for the verification of the use of the belt and on-site technical inspection with mobile units where appropriate, to address critical deficiencies in safety elements at the root.
More in-cab technology: ADAS and new demands…
The general European safety regulations have been applied gradually since 2022 and already require newly designed vans to incorporate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to be approved and sold. The regulatory calendar will continue to expand requirements, with technologies such as autonomous emergency braking For vulnerable users, distraction warning systems or direct visibility improvements that reinforce prevention.
This technological incorporation coexists with a context of rising prices. New vehicles have accumulated significant increases since 2019. In the case of vans, various analyses estimate average increases of between 30% and 45% depending on the model and its equipment. Therefore, if the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) gets its way, you'll see new van prices rise again. This could mean a setback because if they're more expensive, who will buy new models?
The voice of the sector: training, logistics, and fleet...
Business representatives of the distribution and delivery industry point out that, per kilometer traveled, the van mortality rate It's lower than that of passenger cars and motorcycles, although they admit that risk factors remain in need of correction. Among the priorities, they point to fleet renewal, promoting specific training, and awareness campaigns. Furthermore, they also aim to reduce intrusion, which introduces unsafe practices and unfair competition during peak periods.
The urban environment adds complexity. Low Emission Zones, restricted hours and lack of logistics spaces and loading/unloading They concentrate deliveries in very tense time zones, increasing risk exposure and operational stress. Professionalization is gaining ground through schools and training programs for delivery drivers, with simulators and safe stowage procedures, with the aim of homogenize good practices and reduce incidents on the street.
"It's not enough to tighten regulations: we need to strengthen training and better plan logistics." so that security permeates the entire mechanism.
What will change for drivers and companies…
- More controls on roads with a high presence of vans, especially urban accesses and logistics environments.
- Review of key risks: speed, alcohol/drugs, distractions, stowage and vehicle condition.
- Technological demand growing: ADAS mandatory in new units and jump in future requirements.
- Boosting training and the renewal of the fleet, with a focus on safety and operational efficiency.
The importance of vans in the daily economy no longer allows for half measures. The DGT is taking action with a device that combines data, much more control, and "better" pedagogy to tackle a rise in accidents and an aging fleet. If the technological renewal, selective surveillance and training, delivery will be able to continue growing without compromising road and city safety. We'll see...
Source - Directorate General of Traffic (DGT)
Images | Directorate General of Traffic (DGT)
