The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have revealed to the public that those who need van insurance can reduce the cost of the premium in several ways, with just a few simple steps. IAM believe that it could help van drivers who are suffering from the whiplash of the credit crunch.

The Institute stated: “Edging over the motorway speed limit to 80 mph saves very little time, but it will cost typically around three or four pence per mile more.” Therefore it believes that van drivers who make the effort to drive more smoothly and slower with less haste, could help themselves to save money, because the faster a driver goes, the more fuel they will be burning up.

The organisation commented that by switching off the engine when they are stuck in traffic jams and by removing any excess weight from the back could all contribute to cutting down fuel usage and therefore save more money at the pumps.

The persuasion for van drivers to drive slower is more important than ever, as the group has welcomed the recent figures released by the Department for Transport which revealed that road deaths have dropped by 7%, therefore IAM has never been keener for people to drive with more care and to keep the figures low.

Van Accident in America

However, those with van insurance and who take driving responsibly very seriously will be shocked to hear of a recent incident that occurred across the pond.

Two adults in a car have been charged in Tennessee last week after they were involved in a van accident, which resulted in the van turning over on its roof. The police allege the car was being driven at 145 kilometres an hour by a 10 year old boy at the wheel.

The boy’s carers according to the police were in the back seat busy drinking and taking drugs. The mother continued to take drugs when the police arrived and they had to forcibly stop her, whilst the father told the officers that he had drunk at least 15 beers before joining the joyride.

What is even more disturbing is that there were two more children in the car, one 10 years of age, the other just six years old. None of the passengers were seriously hurt, but all were treated for personal injuries in hospital.

When police arrived at the scene, the van had been flipped over and the car passengers were sitting by the side of the road. Both adults have been charged with several offences including aggravated child abuse and neglect, seat violation and reckless driving.  The male adult also had a suspended licence and was uninsured.

Although it is still unknown how the children and adults are related, the children have still been left in the custody of a local children’s aid, whilst the adults will remain behind bars until someone can afford the $10,000-50,000 bond that will free them.