Trade van drivers have received a strong vote of confidence from the British public, with 84% of people surveyed saying they have an overall positive view of the driving habits of tradespeople.
The nationwide research, commissioned by Farizon Auto UK to mark National Tradesmen Day, found that 41% of respondents regarded van-driving tradespeople as hard-working, while 23% described them as highly skilled drivers. A further 12% considered them conscientious and courteous behind the wheel.
Negative perceptions were considerably less common. Seven per cent regarded tradespeople as lazy, including taking too many breaks or parking inconsiderately to save time, while 16% believed van drivers had poor driving skills and 14% considered them rude.
Tradespeople putting in long hours
A separate Farizon survey of 200 tradespeople suggests many are putting in lengthy working days.
More than half said they work for over eight hours a day, with 38% typically working between eight and 10 hours, 14% between 10 and 12 hours and 1% more than 12 hours.
The findings also revealed a gap between public perception and the number of breaks tradespeople actually take. While 45% of those surveyed said they take no more than one break each day, 59% of the public expected tradespeople to take two or more.
Calum James, Country General Manager at Farizon Auto UK, said: “It’s very gratifying that public perception of trade van drivers is positive. They play a crucial role as the lifeblood of our economy, making sure the goods and services we all take for granted are available to us whenever we need them.
“These hard-working unsung heroes should be celebrated on National Tradesmen Day and should be respected every day of the year.”
Stress and congestion remain concerns
Despite the broadly favourable view of van drivers, 34% of respondents described them as impatient behind the wheel.
The research also highlighted wider concerns about the experience of driving in Britain. More than half, 53%, said driving had become more stressful than it was 10 years ago, while 58% believed roads had become more congested. The same proportion said driving had become more expensive.
James said increasing congestion, regulation and charges for entering some city centres had contributed to the pressures facing drivers.
Farizon used the findings to highlight technology available on its electric commercial vehicles. Both the Farizon SV and V7E feature 360-degree camera systems and blind-spot detection, while the SV also offers a payload monitoring system designed to help operators remain within legal weight limits.
The manufacturer also claims switching from diesel to electric could reduce running costs for some tradespeople, depending on factors including mileage, charging costs and vehicle use. Farizon provides an online fuel cost calculator allowing operators to compare estimated running costs with diesel alternatives.
