Van and Vehicles Left in a State

By Ruth J

Findings from a recent study conducted by a British University and would be fitting in a book from the Horrible Science series, could turn the stomachs of UK motorists, after it was said that vehicles on the roads, could be housing over 280 different kinds of bacteria in a cm2.

Aston University found that vehicles, including vans have 283 different types of bacteria harbouring inside them. People who drive with pets or young children were said to be more likely to have higher levels of bacteria in their vehicles. Also motorists who eat in their vehicles had a great chance of having a dirtier vehicle. Such as drivers of commercial van, when used for work purposes, may stop for a quick bite to eat while they are working.

The gear stick was identified as the area in the vehicles with the most populated bacteria, where 356 germs were identified within a cm2.

A vehicle that was tested was found to have over 850 bacteria present in the boot and also included traces of excrement, in this same place the weekly grocery shopping was also kept on a regular basis.

Dr Anthony Hilton, Aston University Director of Biology & Biomedical Science, said: "Whilst most of the bacteria we've found are unlikely to cause serious health problems, some vehicles, particularly those which regularly carry children and animals, play host to potentially harmful germs.

"People would be horrified at the thought of eating off their toilet seat, but few realise eating off their car dashboard is just as likely to make them sick."

Bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E. coli) were found in some of the vehicles along with salmonella and Campylobacter, which can survive on surfaces within the motor, such as the steering wheel or dashboard, for up to a month.

The most common types of bacteria found in all the vehicles involved in the study, were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. These types of bacteria are found on human skin, but pose no threat to the health of healthy individuals.

Further types of bacteria that were found include Bacillus, Serratia marcesens and Enterobacter aerogenes. These types of bacteria are usually found in soil and dirt and so it is believed that they enter the motors by the passenger's footwear, or from the paws of dogs and animals.

A recent poll by an insurance website, which also provides van insurance to drivers, found that 1,376 vehicle owner spend more than three years of their lives behind the wheel of their motors, and more than 75 per cent of these people east, en route each week.

One in four drivers said that their motors were littered with food wrappers and empty drink bottles, while 16 per cent stated that they leave uneaten food in their vehicles on a regular basis.

Half of the people polled in the survey admitted that their cars were left in a state and said they would never let their homes get to the same state as their motors.

In the worst case scenarios, some motorists admitted that they found pet droppings, a joint of beef, insects, a three-year-old sandwich and even mushrooms growing in the floor of their vehicles.

Ruth has more articles on van insurance.