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Advanced lessons for 'white van men'

The government is to spend £1.3m on providing advanced driving lessons for some of the UK's 200,000 van drivers - to make them more considerate behind the wheel.

The Safe And Fuel Efficient Driving Scheme will also teach 'white van man' how to reduce fuel consumption by using the right gears and better braking.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling admitted he has been 'driven mad' by white vans, but said the scheme was a good thing for everyone. He added that all motorists could improve their driving.

"If we can persuade the driving population as a whole to drive better you'll get a cleaner, safer, cheaper drive and that must be a good thing."

The scheme will pay for the training of 200 instructors to teach advanced van driving techniques - and will then fund lessons for 3,500 drivers.

The DfT said annual savings of up to £500 in fuel costs per van, and a quarter of a tonne of carbon could be made by using techniques such as a better use of gears, keeping correct distances from the vehicle in front and better road awareness.

Peter Lee from the Transit Van Owners' Club said the idea was welcomed as 'only good can come of that'.

He said it was worrying that people can take their driving test in a smaller vehicle but then buy a van which 'is five, six times bigger than the car you've passed your test in, and you can just jump in and drive away, having no experience of driving a van at all'.

The courses can be accessed through the scheme's website or by phoning 0870 190 8440.

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk

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