A radioactive substance could have been stolen from a van

Van insurance policyholders often transport many important items in their vehicles. Some of these are vital for businesses, others could be extremely valuable – but certain cargos can be dangerous.
Recently, a van was broken into within the Lancashire area – and a small canister was stolen from the vehicle. Although there are no reports as to how many criminals were involved, police have warned that this cargo might be hazardous.
It is believed that the canister was being used to transport a small quantity of Iridium-192 – a radioactive substance which has industrial and medical applications.
Fortunately, the material shouldn't pose a danger to the general public providing the canister isn't opened. The container has been marked with a radiation symbol so hopefully those who stole the substance will have the common sense to keep it closed.
In the event the cylinder is opened, a spokesperson for the Health Protection Agency urged people who have had "prolonged physical contact" with the material to seek medical attention.
If you locate the missing canister, then you should not attempt to transport it and instead contact police who will collect the item. In addition, the criminals have been urged to return the material as they could be placing their wellbeing at risk.
If anyone has any information about the stolen container, he or she can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Mobile phone use may be common amongst motorists

It sounds quite obvious, but using a hand-held mobile phone while behind the wheel is illegal for a reason. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), this action may increase a person's chances of performing various dangerous driving behaviours, such as failing to notice road signs, maintain a central lane position, or observe other road users.
As a result, this dramatically increases their chances of suffering traffic accidents – potentially harming themselves or other people in the process. In addition, research published on the RoSPA website suggests that van drivers are more likely than other road users to talk on a phone when behind the wheel.
However, although all motorists should recognise the dangers of using mobiles while driving, the results of a Halfords survey suggest that this behaviour could be commonplace.
After polling a selection of motorists, the retail firm discovered that 36% of respondents had conversed on their devices when behind the wheel – sometimes more than once a week. In addition, when on the roads, 35% stated they looked at text messages while 19% admitted to accessing websites or social media.
Despite these somewhat troubling results, 88% of respondents believed that using a hand-held phone while on the roads placed themselves and other individuals in danger.
All motorists, including car drivers and van insurance policyholders, should refrain from using mobiles when behind the wheel. If caught, they could face various penalties, such as receiving a £60 penalty fine or having three points added to his or her licence.
In addition, in the event of a traffic accident, those responsible may have to pay for an expensive vehicle repair bill – and might also find it hard to obtain affordable motor cover in the future.
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Think twice before helping out friends and family

As a van owner, you probably realise that this mode of transport makes difficult situations, such as moving house or transporting heavy items, much easier. Therefore, even if you use your vehicle for commercial purposes, it isn't uncommon for friends, acquaintances, and family members to ask for help with personal jobs.

In fact, according to a provider of business van insurance, 81% of van drivers have been in this situation, with 10% having to deal with these requests "all the time".

Although those who agree to help are probably making the lives of their friends and family members much easier, van insurance holders should check with their providers before offering assistance.

For example, if a van driver is asked to briefly transport goods for an acquaintance's business, some providers of commercial vehicle cover may see this as a secondary occupation. Consequently, the driver's insurance policy could be rendered void.

Moreover, if a friend asks to borrow the keys, letting them jump behind the wheel could also invalidate the policyholder's cover.

The van insurer also warned that helpful drivers might not be suitably covered when transporting goods for non-commercial reasons. For example, if a policyholder agrees to help a family member move house, he or she may be unable to claim if the items are damaged or stolen.

Although van drivers may be helping out friends and family members by supplying their vehicles, this gesture carries van insurance risks . Therefore, the next time you get asked to help out with a task, it is probably a good idea to check with your insurance provider before agreeing.

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Man with van inspired by Paralympic and Olympic endeavours

The Olympics is over, the Paralympics is almost over, and I've loved every minute of it all. My van has been decked out in union jacks and my house has had the Olympic bunting up outside it since the Olympic flame was first lit in July.
Now I don't want to use a poorly placed pun here, but I will soon have the marathon task of finding a new cheap van insurance quote, however I'm certain the pain will be taken out of the job by the iVan search engine.
And talking of pain, the endeavours of Team GB have shown me that nothing is impossible.
Last night I watched a girl with cerebral palsy, who could not control her movements, make a horse walk in a series of twists and turns (known as test) with almost perfect accuracy. This young woman also has an MA in Pure Mathematics and her courage and tenacity really inspired me.
I gave up sport a long time ago (although I still do a lot of armchair sports supporting) but the whole Paralympic thing has made me think I should get off my behind and really try hard at something. The Paralympians really put most of us to shame and their joy and determination at participating in this global event have really been truly awe inspiring.
So, I'm going to go and get into my van, maybe fix another Union Jack to the window and go and find something useful to do. Maybe I'll take up volunteering at my local athletics club, or offer my services at the local riding stables. I dare say they might be able to use a man with a van every now and then.
Image © Suran2007 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Buy van insurance – Protect your vehicle from unforeseen accidents

Buying van insurance is a wise decision. This will help protect your van in case you suffer an unexpected traffic accident. The type of vehicle insurance you may buy will depend on the way you use your van. However, there are other factors which should also be taken into consideration.

In the UK, every van must have minimum insurance requirements before being driven on the roads. And it’s a wise idea to shop around thoroughly to find affordable vehicle insurance so that you can afford premium payments and enjoy all of its benefits.

Five ways to select suitable van insurance

Read on to know the five ways to select suitable van insurance.

1. Make a list of how you will use the van – When you have your own van, you should make a list showing how you intend to use it. If you are using the van for business purposes, your insurance policy may differ from someone who uses their van for personal needs. Find out if you need to insure it for yourself or if it should also include your family members. Moreover, you should make proper calculations to determine how many miles the vehicle is likely to be driven annually.

2. Compare between different insurance companies – Before selecting suitable van insurance, you should compare deals between several insurance companies online. Also, determine the rates which the different companies offer. You usually need to enter your van information, personal information and required level of insurance cover to get a suitable quote from various insurance companies.

3. Know your level of cover – You will need minimum insurance requirements to carry out certain tasks or operations. Tell your potential insurer how you will be using the van so they can provide you with the right information. This way, you will be able to select suitable van insurance for your vehicle.

4. Look for the insurance options you want – If you are looking for liability cover for your van, you can sometimes get it at a reasonably low price. If you want to spend more money on your van insurance, you will be able to find policies to help you in case you meet with an accident on the roads and cover the cost of repairs following the incident. You will also be able to get medical cover for anyone who is riding in your van.

5. Read through the terms and conditions carefully – You should read through the terms and conditions of the policy carefully before you purchase it. This is important because you need to establish which levels of cover you have in the event of a traffic accident. Make sure you purchase the right van insurance as per your requirements and get adequate cover.

By following the above steps, you will be able to select suitable van insurance for your vehicle and invest your money wisely by purchasing the right policy.

Most Brits aren't exercising enough

With the Olympics upon us, I've been thinking recently about my day-to-day routine and, more specifically, about the amount of exercise I get. Admittedly, I could be doing better.

Having said this, new research suggests I'm not the only one.

A collection of studies, published in the Lancet medical journal, show many British adults – around 63% of us apparently – fail to achieve the minimum recommended amounts of physical exercise – that's 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.

If we do not meet these guidelines, we could be more likely to suffer from various conditions such as coronary heart disease or diabetes – and I thought only the price of my van insurance could cost me!

Our alarming levels of inactivity may be attributed to a wide variety of factors, such as Britain's generally poor weather conditions or our busy schedules. In my case, I spend too much time on the roads. Although I take breaks every couple of hours, I really don't have enough time to exercise.

To correct this problem, I did a quick bit of research online and found an exercise programme which drivers can carry out while behind the wheel. This routine, put together by a car insurance company and the University of Wales in Cardiff, suggests several interesting methods, including:

• Exercising your arms by stretching them over the steering wheel, in the direction of the windows and towards your back;


• Gripping the steering wheel, releasing and then stretching your fingers to exercise your hands and wrists; as well as


• Exercising your shoulders by sitting in an upright position, moving them towards the ears and then bringing them back down.

While this routine may ease stress and help motorists become healthier, it should only be carried out while stationary in a safe location. Personally, I'm going to see if I can improve my fitness levels by visiting my local gym.

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Are your tyres suitable for wet conditions?

Drivers in the United Kingdom may have recently experienced heavy rain, severe storms or even flooding – I know I did. Although this weather may put a dampener on summer plans, these conditions can also make driving hazardous.

To help motorists stay safe on the roads, TyreSafe, a tyre safety organisation, is urging motorists to check the treads on their vehicles to ensure they are suitable for wet conditions.

Oh, great! How long is that going to take? Well, fortunately, these checks should only take a minute and use something which every motorist should have access to – a 20p piece.

Apparently, to check the quality of their van tyres, drivers should insert the coin into the main grooves of the tread. If they can see the outer band of the piece after insertion, the tyre may not be able to safely handle wet road surfaces. This is dangerous as a vehicle with unsuitable tyres may be unable to grip road surfaces properly, might take longer to stop when the driver brakes, or could aquaplane.

If a vehicle's tyres contributed to the outcome of a traffic accident, the owner may find it hard to obtain cheap van insurance following a claim with their insurer.

In addition, while carrying out the 20p test, drivers should also check their tyres for any signs of degradation; such as cuts, bulges or wear and tear. I had a look at mine and saw a cut on the inside of one of my tyres just in time – I've since purchased a replacement.

If you're concerned about the safety of your vehicle tyres, it is always better to be safe than sorry – take a look yourself, or ask a qualified mechanic to inspect them as soon as possible.

If a tyre does not have a minimum depth of 1.6 millimetres across the central three-quarters of the tread around its complete circumference, the owner may be breaking the law.

As a result, those who drive with illegal tyres may receive three penalty points on their licence and a £2,500 penalty fine for each offending tyre – I don't know about you but I'm keen to avoid that!

Although this summer may be turning into a washout, it doesn't have to be a dangerous one. Before setting off, reach into your wallet and test the safety of your tyres. By ensuring they are working appropriately, you might be less likely to claim with your van insurance provider.

Besides, if you save money on your premiums, you may be able to visit a warmer, sunnier country this summer!

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