What are they?

[stewey]

I have come across the term "white van drivers" a few times lately in posts under different Topics, and the term seems to be used in a derogatory manner. Could someone please tell me what the expression means?

[missyR]

White van drivers derives from , well, white van men. Because men who drive white vans (normally plumbers etc.) tend to think that they can do whatever they want on the road i.e overtake dramatically or just be general p!ss heads.

[missyR]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_van_man

[stewey]

MissyR, thanks for your explanations. I sort of figured that there was some loutish behavior involved, but I didn't understand the "white van" part.

[grumpii]

You shouldnt tar everybody with the same brush, its like saying all lesbians are fat with crewe cuts and doc. martin boots

[whiffey]

White Van Man. A generally true expression. WVM drives without any courtesy for fellow road users. It's ok for WVM to use a mobile phone, to sit on other motorists' arses, to drive well over the speed limit past schools, and blah blah blah. I expect they call everybody 'Mate'

[kwicky]

It usually means someone who uses his vehicle to earn a living and as we all know time means money. If another car driver prevents him from doing so he may take action so time is not lost. Unless he does this your parcel or goods would not arrive at the stated time. So next time let him through!

[whiffey]

Oh, and he also wears his trousers at half-mast over a hairy bum-slit, sniffs continuously, big fat beer-belly, is heavily tattoed, spits on the pavement, and calls everybody else "Mate"

[grumpii]

Wow whiffey, you dont like wvm much, have you had a bad experience?

[RATTER15]

Hello mate!! I own up!! I used to be a white van man!! and yes I do have tattoos and I do have a bit of a belly but no beer in it!!

And when I was working I was in White Van Man mode, I owned the road, I overtook everything I could even if it meant going down the wrong side and have even overtaken on the grass verge, I always selected the lane with least amount of traffic at traffic lights and roundabouts regardless of direction I was going, I just got away quick and pulled in front of everybody else to get ahead.

I am know a more steady driver having given up that line of work and drive at a more sedate speed and show a little more consideration to other drivers.

I was bad but now good!!

[whiffey]

Cycling home from work one day, I came to cross a road at my usual point, over to the central reservation. A white van decided he was above all normal rules, overtook and passed the bollards on the wrong side, fu**ing nearly killing me. I just wanted to get home in peace and quiet, but this *******'s 5 seconds was more important than my life.

[grumpii]

Yes I can see why you have anger, I would ride on the pavement and risk getting told off by one of those community police people.

[ne2]

My other half was hit off his motor bike by a WVD a few years back. He had right of way yet the WVD pulled out from a side street sending my other half and the bike skidding across a main rd. The driver got away without a scratch but my hubby was concussed,had a broken ankle and back injury's followed by a nervous breakdown. One good thing,he won the case as the police prosecuted the WVD,took 3 years tho'. Bloody Transit Driver's!!!!!!!!

[namie]

i drive a white van and in my opinon its a mark of rispect,
i woz in a rush to get home in time 4 dinner the othr day but almost ran ovr a cyclist who was in me way and goin way too slow ... he lookd a bit shokd n shook a twig or an arm at me... now ppl like that shud be bannd of roads for good or maybe they shud go cycle on the footpath outof every ones way?

[gasman]

Did anyone else understand that last post , from namie. Does the WVM also have a different dictionary to the rest of us ???

[RATTER15]

If I had read that post from namie, before, I would never have owned up to being an ex WVM!!! Please don't think they are all that thick!!

I wonder how he ever got through a driving test!! that's assuming he ever took one!!

[rdv]

WVM did �1400 of damage to my daughters stationary car last week and then tried to blame her!! His company insurers accepted liability today.