We have all seen vans where that gap between the dashboard and the windscreen is completely full of clutter and rubbish. A new survey by Comparethemarket in the UK has found that not only does this look bad, but can also actually be dangerous. 

The survey of some 4,600 drivers found that 46% said clutter in their vans had led to an accident of some kind, with 30% saying the accident had actually caused injury, either to themselves, or a third party. 

More than a quarter of drivers said they had items roll near their brake pedal, while 17% said they had their view blocked by items on the dash. 

Julie Daniels, of Comparethemarket, stressed the importance of keeping the dash clear. She said, “Even minor distractions can cause accidents whilst you’re on the road and that’s why drivers should make an extra effort to cut back on clutter and reduce avoidable mistakes. With a van, it may be hard to keep clean, but safety should come first. Drivers should ensure that items are stowed safely and away from particularly hazardous areas such as the pedals or windscreen.”