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Safe Operation of 15-Passenger Vans: NHTSA Recommendations

Learn about the increased rollover risk of 15-passenger vans under certain conditions and NHTSA safety guidelines. Take steps to ensure passengers' safety when using these vans.

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Safe Operation of 15-Passenger Vans: NHTSA Recommendations

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  1. 15-PASSENGER VAN SAFETY

  2. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION • Part of U.S. Department of Transportation • Established by Highway Safety Act of 1970 • Responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. • Investigates safety defects in motor vehicles. • Conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety. • www.nhtsa.dot.gov

  3. 15-PASSENGER VANS(All Model Years) Chevrolet Express 3500 GMC Savana G3500 Dodge Ram Van/Wagon B3500 Dodge Ram Wagon B350 Ford Econoline E350 Ford Club Wagon E350 GMC Rally/Vandura G3500

  4. NHTSA REPORT 15-Passenger vans have a increased rollover risk under certain conditions. The risk of rollover increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five occupants to over ten passengers. 15-passenger vans (with 10 or more occupants) had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly 3 x the rate of those that were lightly loaded.

  5. NHTSA REPORT (Continued) Loading 15-passenger vans causes the center of gravity to shift rearward and upward increasing the likelihood of rollover. Shift in the center of gravity will also increase the potential for loss of control in panic maneuvers. It is important that the van be operated by experienced drivers, they should understand and be familiar with the handling characteristics of their vans, especially when fully loaded.

  6. NHTSA REPORT (Continued) Institutions using 15-passenger vans should require seat belt use at all times. Any load placed on the roof will be above the center of gravity of the vehicle and will increase the likelihood of rolling over.

  7. FATAL CRASHES - 1999(Source: NHTSA Fatal Analysis Reporting System, 1999)

  8. SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVERS - 1999(Source: NHTSA General Estimates System, 1999)

  9. ROLLOVER RATE BY VEHICLE TYPE- 1999-Per 100 Crashes-(Source: NHTSA General Estimates System, 1999)

  10. LOADED VANS AT GREATER RISK TO ROLL

  11. VANS versus BUSES • Federal Statute- “School bus” means a passenger motor vehicle designed to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers, that the Secretary of Transportation decides is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary and secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school (49 USC 30125(a)(1)).

  12. VAN versus BUSES (Continued) • The Motor Vehicle Safety Act has set standards for minimum performance requirements a) emergency exits; b) interior protection for occupants; c) floor strength; d) seating systems; e) crashworthiness of body and frame (including protection against rollover hazards; f) vehicle operating systems; g) windows and windshields; and h) fuel systems.

  13. Feb. 2000 - Sept. 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - Four members of Prairie View A&M University track team killed and seven injured in rollover. Two students killed in rollover of Wisconsin Oshkosh Swim Team van. Depaul womens track team van rolled over. Tragedy strikes at Kenyon College as womens swim team is involved in van rollover. HEADLINES

  14. 2000 - 1998 - Student and teacher driver killed when van carrying Chaminade High School students “over corrects” and van rolls over off the pavement. Southern CT State University severely injured in van rollover. HEADLINES (Continued)

  15. PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY/MEDIA INVOLVEMENT • InjuryBoard.com - Personal injury website offering free attorney evaluation. • 2safeschools.org - “15 Passenger vans are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road when used for the purpose of transporting students and adults.” • nasdpts.org - National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. Position paper. • Msccym.org - Mississippi Conference on Youth Ministries. Legal brief.

  16. PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY/MEDIA INVOLVEMENT(Continued) • NCAA.org - The NCAA News and features • usatoday.com - Packed vans have a higher risk of rollovers. • Safetyforum.com - White paper by Attorney of Record about 15 passenger vans. • 60 Minutes

  17. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify Your Risk • How many 15 passenger vans? • Where are they located? • Who is driving (and riding)? • Where are they driving? • Who is maintaining these vehicles? • How many in van (cargo)?

  18. EXAMINE RISK MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES Exposure Avoidance • Eliminate existing fleet of 15 passenger vans. • University of Virginia and others, phase out process and institute Best Practices.

  19. RISK CONTROL NHTSA Recommendations: • Insist that ALL occupants wear seatbelts at all times (92% of belted occupants survived Single-Vehicle rollovers). • 15 Passenger vans be operated by trained, experienced drivers. Best Practices - Require driver to have a Commercial Driver’s License or - Pass a defensive driving course to operate a 15 passenger van.

  20. DEFENSIVE DRIVING TRAINING • Classroom Training and On Road Evaluation - Coaching the Van Driver II - DDC-4 • Computer Based Training - CD-ROM Training A) Worksafe Institute of WA B) Advanced Driver Training Services C) Driver One D) Eversafe Driving Program

  21. DEFENSIVE DRIVING TRAINING(Continued) • Computer Based Training (Continued) - Web Based Training A) DDC - Online B) Advanced Driver Training Services C) Driver One D) Various Colleges/Universities

  22. 15 PASSENGER VAN SAFETY PROGRAM“BEST PRACTICES” • Screen and qualify all drivers. • Verification of valid drivers license and periodic review of MVR. • Formal, documented vehicle inspection/maintenance program. • Operational Requirements: - Seatbelts - No use of cell phones while driving - Passenger Van Agreements

  23. 15 PASSENGER VAN SAFETY PROGRAM“BEST PRACTICES”(Continued) • Operational Requirements (continued) - Stress importance of maintaining an adequate space cushion and appropriate vehicle speed for the conditions. - Limit trip length or timing.

  24. MINIMIZE ROLLOVER RISKS • Heavily influenced by driver, road characteristics and vehicle design. • Drive cautiously on rural roads (shoulders, ditches, embankments). • Avoid extreme panic-like steering. • Properly maintain the tires. • ALWAYS wear seatbelt (75% less likely) • Avoid conditions that lead to loss of control. • Evenly load the vehicles and load front first. • Limit the number of passengers (10 or less). • All occupants wear seatbelts.

  25. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES • National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration www.nhtsa.dot.gov • United Risk Management and Insurance Association www.urmia.org • Insurance Institute of Highway Safety www.hwysafety.org • National Transportation Safety Board www.ntsb.gov • United Educators www.ue.com

  26. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Continued) • Purdue University www.purdue.edu • Guideone Insurances www.guideonecenter.com • Central Washington University www.cwunlive.org • National Safety Council www.nsc.org

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