# White van man, or are UK drivers that bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857 "2003-08-26T23:32:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/21 "2003-08-27T21:43:33Z")
Wow… something we’re good at, apparently. Can Considerate Driving be made an Olympic sport? ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/22 "2003-08-27T21:58:29Z")
i’m pleased but surprised to hear that we in the UK are considered considerate drivers. I’m sure any driver here can relate dozens of incidents of bad driving that they see every week. Of course I consider myself probably the best driver in the country (but don’t we all). Friends of mine have said that drivers in the US are much more patient, and more observant of lane discipline than drivers here. V ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/23 "2003-08-27T22:45:02Z")
My Dad was telling me about the time he drove an old ambulance when he was a scoutmaster and I can see why WVM is such an ass on the roads. Being able to see so far above the cars around you, and maybe having a bit more poke in the engine bay its easy to see how good habits can slip a bit. Especially if you’re in a hurry too. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/24 "2003-08-27T23:30:37Z")
I have nothing to add, but wish to mention that if Wextfordhamptonshire- on-Trent existed, I would like to live there. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/25 "2003-08-27T23:42:41Z")
I’m surprised at the perceptions that US penalties are tougher. I saw one of these British shows recently which had the odd US video in it here and there. One showed a trooper (I think in the South somewhere, but I disremember) pulling over a woman whose car was weaving all over the road: Trooper: Howdy! Y’ know why I pulled you over, ma’am? Woman: No shhirrr… Trooper: I noticed your vee-hickle was weaving considerably. Have you had anything to drink tonight? Woman: No. Aah ain’t (_hic_) touchshchshed a shinngle drop, Ossifer… Trooper: Well, then. That’s ok. You go drive safely now. Have a nice day. Voice Over: I can’t imagine a UK driver getting off that lightly… The US (some states only) reliance on non-mechanical means of determining sobriety still amazes me. In Australia (and I assume the UK), the woman would have been breathalysed on the spot, been asked to switch off and secure her car, taken to the police station (possibly in handcuffs), breathalysed on a larger, more acurate, legally admissible breathalyser unit, charged (with a criminal offence, not an infringement) , fingerprinted, and a court hearing arranged. At minimum (if she wasn’t much over the limit), she’d be fined A$500 - $1000, and disqualified from driving for three months. If she were very drunk (or it wasn’t a first offence), the fine would be many thousands of dollars, she’d not be able to legally drive for a couple of years, and there would possibly be a custodial sentence. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/26 "2003-08-27T23:54:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kal \* > \*\*I have nothing to add, but wish to mention that if Wextfordhamptonshire- on-Trent existed, I would like to live there. \*\* I’ve been there, it’s a sh\*thole. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/27 "2003-08-28T07:58:30Z")
[This](http://www.geocities.com/mmemym/bits2/fal0101.htm) might help. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/28 "2003-08-28T10:25:52Z")
Ah, the wit and wisdom of Misters Fry and Laurie. God bless old Blighty! ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/29 "2003-08-28T13:21:10Z")
> [@](#): > > I saw one of these British shows recently which had the odd US video in it here and there. One showed a trooper (I think in the South somewhere, but I disremember) pulling over a woman whose car was weaving all over the road You’ve obviously never been to North Carolina then. 1% of the population here gets a DUI annually - even the little old lady driving to church on Sunday is a potential DWI here. ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/30 "2003-08-29T06:30:14Z")
UK’s written test info - [http://www.dsa.gov.uk/theory/factsheet-oct02.htm](http://www.dsa.gov.uk/theory/factsheet-oct02.htm) The lax standards in Washington state - [http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/faq.htm](http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/faq.htm) (Picked because I think they have the worst drivers in the US!) And then there’s Florida - [http://www.mrknowitall.com/jokes/drivingtestanswers.htm](http://www.mrknowitall.com/jokes/drivingtestanswers.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Computer\_Guru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Computer\_Guru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Computer_Guru)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/31 "2003-08-29T13:14:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elmwood \* > \*\* > Van drivers don’t have a reputation as being particularly aggressive in the US, but in the UK they are known as notorious motoring maniacs. > > \*\* I’ve noticed vans in the U.S. that are more aggressive than a lot of people, but I think in the U.S., the aggressive people buy SUVs and use them to bully other drivers. Of course, I never let them bully me. I don’t know much about UK drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Beech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beech)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/32 "2003-08-29T14:11:10Z")
One can only hope that WVM evolves into SILVER van man! Typically mid 30’s to mid 40’s, drives well, keeps to the left, does not jump the lights, or drive up your arse, and stops at pedestrian crossings! Take note next time your driving, its true! Silver van man is the epitome of good driving! (no - I don’t drive a van of any colour!) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/33 "2003-08-29T14:18:23Z")
Must be true - I used to drive a silver van myself. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857/34 "2003-08-29T14:40:25Z")
The point about white van man is he spends all day in the van and he doesn’t own or pay the bills on the van. So he’s plenty of time to develop his invincibility delusion and he doesn’t really care if he runs the van into you or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-van-man-or-are-uk-drivers-that-bad/197857.md?page=1)