Caravan Insurance

Ford has presented the van firm Speedy Hire with a Ford Transit dropside to help in the training of drivers.

Ford is already attempting to address the issue of safety among van drivers with its Wise Van Man campaign, and the 2.4 litre Ford Transit will be instrumental to Speedy's safety courses for internal and external drivers.

The 3.5-tonne extended-frame diesel dropside also comes with a towbar to provide training in towing as well as loading and unloading.

The Transit is a good model for the sort of commercial vehicles van drivers are likely to be faced with, which means the training should replicate real-life scenarios. Sessions include training on the roads and at the firm's 'Training Academy' in Leeds, where around 14 drivers a week take part in the two-day induction.

Gary Whittam, Ford commercial vehicles director, told the Transport News Network: "We look forward to seeing more companies like Speedy Hire getting to grips with targeted in driver training."

An added benefit of training courses is the possibility of cheaper van insurance, whether ford transit van insurance or otherwise. Even if the course doesn't lead to a commercial van insurance discount, better safety awareness is likely to decrease the likelihood of an accident and find favour with the van insurance company.