How Safe Are 15 Passenger Vans?
Unfortunately, the answer is, not very safe at all. Fifteen passenger vans are the kind of vans widely used by churches and civic groups. These vans actually have a higher rollover rate than ever-popular SUVs. And it turns out, that when these vans rollover, occupants are more likely to die than in other vehicles.
What Causes a 15 Passenger Van to Rollover?
It all goes back to physics. Any vehicle with a higher center of gravity and a narrow wheel base is more likely to rollover. Unfortunately, other factors with these vehicles contribute to a higher rollover rate.
What Conditions Make the 15 Passenger Vans More Dangerous?
The very design and purpose of the vehicle actually contributes to its tendency to rollover. When a vehicle carries a large number of people and a lot of luggage toward the rear, its chances of rolling over increase because the center of gravity is altered. In fact, a study conducted by the NHSTA concluded that these vans were 3 times more likely to roll over when loaded with 10 or more people than the same van carrying just 5 passengers. While newer models have electronic stability systems that help reduce the number of rollovers, older models do not and many older models are still in use.
Another cause is that the vans are usually operated by drivers with little to no experience driving a large vehicle like this. Drivers that are used to smaller cars or even pickup trucks expect to be able to drive them as if they are similar to their personal vehicles. They are not.
Tires are often a problem. Tires that are under inflated or worn will cause the vehicle to be more susceptible to a rollover during emergency maneuvers or in tight turns.
Another interesting fact that came out of the NHSTA study was that 80% of the occupants killed in these vehicles during rollover crashes were not wearing their seat belt. Officials speculate that these vans are often overloaded with passengers that are youth or children. The occupants are smaller and this leaves room for more, however, these vans are only equipped with restraints for 15 occupants. Squeezing extra passengers in, leaves someone without a seat belt.
Our Church Has a 2005 15 Passenger Van- Is it Safe?
No, it is not. If you can possibly avoid getting into one of these vans or letting your children ride in one, do. If you find yourself in a situation where the van must be used, do not allow more than 10 passengers and require those passengers to wear safety belts and to sit closest to the front. Positioning passengers behind the rear axle caused the vans to rollover at speeds as low as 35 mph in safety tests.
For more information about the dangers of these vans and fatal crashes they have caused, read Scott Pelley’s 60 Minutes report, “Rollover” which can be found at http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rollover/.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a dangerous product, call Roanoke Product Liability Lawyer Paul Thomson for a FREE consultation. (540) 777-4900
