Require Training. Make specific training in the use of 15-passenger vans a requirement for drivers, and have them repeat the training every two or three years. Choose trained, experienced drivers who are properly licensed and have safe driving records. Screen Drivers. Screen drivers before they get behind the wheel. Note that the pressure may differ for front and back tires. Avoid using old tires, since even unused tires weaken with age. Follow the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure found inside the driver's door or in the owner's manual. Inspect Tires. During a pre-trip inspection, examine the tires and check tire pressure before each use to make sure they're properly inflated and that the tread isn't worn. If your ministry uses 15-passenger vans, you may be able to reduce the risk of accidents by following these precautions: Glass. Most passenger vehicles use laminated glass, but many vans manufactured before 2008 use tempered glass, which is less likely to keep occupants from being thrown out of the vehicle during a collision. A sharp turn in an emergency could cause rear tire slide, or fishtailing. Traction. Most 15-passenger vans have single rather than dual rear wheels, limiting rear traction. Also, because these vans are substantially longer and wider than cars, they require more space for changing lanes and more time for braking. This makes 15-passenger vans more likely to overturn in an emergency. Handling. When more than 10 people occupy the van, the passenger weight raises the center of gravity and shifts it to the rear. Your ministry should be aware of the following safety issues associated with using these vans as passenger transportation. Because of their original design, they don't comply with many of the safety requirements that apply to passenger cars or school buses. Some Safety Issuesįifteen-passenger vans were designed to carry cargo and were later fitted as passenger vehicles. Older models, especially those produced before 2006, likely don't have this technology. Features include automatic emergency braking, collision and lane departure warnings, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and more. New 15-passenger vans come equipped with advanced safety technology that help address their risk of rolling over. In addition, driver training and experience is essential to operate these vehicles safely. It encourages churches and other groups to use buses or smaller vans instead.Īccording to the NHTSA, an overloaded 15-passenger van both increases the rollover risk and makes the vehicle more unstable in all handling maneuvers.īecause of this, ministries must pay greater attention to tire maintenance, passenger loads, and road conditions. The NHTSA recommends that these vans not be used to transport preschool and school-age children. Their rollover risk increases dramatically as the number of occupants rises, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA).Ī federal law prohibits schools from buying, renting, or leasing new 15-passenger vans for transporting students to and from school-related activities, unless the vans meet all of the safety requirements as school buses. If your church, school, or ministry uses 15-passenger vans, you should be aware that they're more likely than other vehicles to roll over, causing serious injuries and fatalities. Follow 15-Passenger Van Safety Guidelines
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