IF you’ve got a Ford Transit and a bad attitude, you probably want to assert your authority over other road users. Here’s how to go about it.
Get the look
The classic white van man look is a t-shirt or polo shirt straining at the gut and a shaved head, but don’t worry about the details. The main thing is always looking as if you’re about to kick the shit out of someone or have a coronary.
Get the language
Have an arsenal of obscenities ready for frequent use. ‘Fuck’, ‘bastard’, ‘wanker’ and the C-word are all excellent. Don’t go getting all creative and shout “You vacillating illegitimate simpleton!”. It will just get lost in the noise of the traffic.
Remember to swear at everything – not just bad drivers or dozy pedestrians, but also grannies taking too long on a zebra crossing and pigeons.
Get the driving style
Much as Formula 1 drivers know how to follow the racing line, white van drivers have their own special set of driving skills, including:
● How to drive right up people’s arses without actually crashing into them, hopefully;
● Matching people’s speeds so they can’t get out of their lane;
● Following someone for miles after a minor driving infraction in a threatening and probably illegal way.
Get the body language
Even on a stress-free journey in light traffic it’s important to have a permanent scowl and gesticulate angrily all the time, even if the only thing annoying you is finishing off your Twix.
Get the fame
Appear in national media by psychotically threatening another driver or a cyclist. It’s like being the star of your own movie, but with dash cam footage on the Daily Mail website.
