Hiring a van is no mean feat. Yet after scrolling through endless company reviews, cautiously reversing, and finally hitting the road, there’s one consideration: staying safe.
Nobody wants an incident, whether you’re hiring a van to complete a home relocation or shift heavy goods. However, operating hired vans in busy urban areas can be challenging. Here are five tips for driving safely when hiring vans in big cities — and avoiding hefty excess fees.
1. Plan Your Route in Advance
The enemies of every driver? One-way systems, congestion, and narrow side streets. Add a van into the mix, though, and these scenarios quickly escalate into arch-nemeses. Avoid the stress of precarious reversing and unnecessary scrapes by planning a van-suitable route beforehand. Be wary of emission zones, too – although zero-emission vans are on the rise.
Pick quieter roads with adequate width and minimal incline. Then, pay close attention to maps (or a trusted direction-giver) to avoid veering off this safest course.
2. Adjust Your Driving for City Traffic
Driving vans is always different. The added weight slows your total braking time, meaning watching for hazards ahead is essential. Having that extra width makes bends trickier to navigate, and there’s also the matter of blind spots; you can’t see out the back. That said, van drivers should adjust their style again for city traffic.
Rather than single lanes in the countryside, inner-city driving involves frequent lane changes. Drive defensively, remaining vigilant for blind spots and preparing to stop quickly should you get cut off. Pedestrians and cyclists become additional factors, too.
3. Be Aware of Your Van’s Size
The larger your van, the more awkward it will be to handle in tight spaces. It’s essential to know your van’s size and grasp a solid level of spatial awareness. Otherwise, it could be a large bill for scratched sides when you return the vehicle to the rental service.
Did you know that vans are amongst the vehicles experiencing more crashes per mile of driving? Remain proactive with van safety and invest in protection; temporary van insurance is a wise investment when driving a larger vehicle.
4.Take Care When Parking
Parking is a renowned beast for van drivers. It will take some getting used to, especially in busy urban areas. Luckily, there are some key rules to remember. For a start, always reverse into spots. This strategy avoids pulling out blindly and accidentally clipping another vehicle (or worse, a pedestrian).
Practice in large, open bays while you get the hang of it. And if you’re unsure, enlist the help of someone on the ground.
5. Understand Your Van’s Handling and Load
Vans are designed to aid in transporting heavy goods. But don’t ruin your day by handling the load wrong and endangering yourself and others. Always check your vehicle’s maximum weight load and ensure items are correctly stacked to avoid dangerous weight shifting on the road.
Remember these five tips, and your rental will be a success. Driving a hired van in big cities can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be dangerous. UtdPlug
