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Is a slower van a safer van? That will be one of the key questions raised by the introduction of compulsory speed limiters for vans above 3.5 tonnes GVW from January next year. Given the poor image of the van driver you might be forgiven for thinking that slower must be better, but the statistics on vans need careful analysis. It is certainly true that many vans break speed limits. Department for Transport (DfT) figures  for 2006 show that on motorways vans were worse speeders than any other category of vehicle, with 17% observed travelling at 80mph or more.

But this does not mean they have more accidents. On the contrary, DfT accident figures suggest that on all types of road cars are involved in nine accidents per 100 million vehicle kilometres, LGVs in seven accidents, and the light CVs that will require speed limiters from January just 3.6. This accident rate drops further on motorways, to 1.4, so the idea that van drivers are more dangerous than other vehicle drivers is not borne out by the statistics.

This can be puzzling, even for those involved in haulage. As one driver asks: "If it's not true that white van man exists, how come I always have that van doing 90 up my backside on the motorway?" The answer seems to be that van drivers do drive fast, but don't have more accidents as a result. Geoff Dossetter, Freight  Transport Association (FTA) director of external affairs, says: "It is plausible that professional drivers could be driving too fast to get their job done, without necessarily having more accidents."

Steve Biddle, Road Haulage Association (RHA) head of technical services, suggests speed limiters for vans could even make motorways less safe. He says: "I don't think they will necessarily make things more dangerous for van drivers, but with vans and bigger CVs all having a 56mph maximum it could lead to frustration from car drivers who find themselves stuck behind them." The RHA wanted the DfT to make the van speed limit 60mph rather than 56mph and Biddle says it "seems ridiculous to me that they should have the same limit as larger vehicles".

But with the law already here, the debate on whether it is right or not is perhaps secondary to dealing with the new limiters when they come in. The first thing for van operators to do is to ensure they have one fitted by 1 January. The FTA issued a warning to van operators a year ago that they should make sure they have speed limiters fitted in time, "as there is bound to be a rush during December". However, Dossetter says the association has not heard of any huge problems in getting them fitted so far.

A second immediate issue is making sure van drivers realise they will have to alter their driving to take account of their inability to travel as fast. Biddle says: "There are risks if people are trying to overtake and the speed limiter cuts in and they suddenly find they haven't got the speed to do so. It's not so much a matter of training as making sure all drivers know what to expect." Drivers and operators also have to face the fact that slower speeds may mean a longer working day and slower delivery times. But not all the effects are negative. Fuel economy should improve and vehicle life might be extended if engines are not flogged quite so hard. Nevertheless, most operators will probably dislike the tighter speed limits. The new regulation may also have the effect of increasing sales of vans of 3.5 tonnes and below, which do not have to have limiters.