Transcript 15-Passenger Van Safety

15-PASSENGER VAN SAFETY
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
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
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.
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.
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.
FATAL CRASHES - 1999
(Source: NHTSA Fatal Analysis Reporting System, 1999)
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Frontal
Side
Rear
Rollover
SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVERS - 1999
(Source: NHTSA General Estimates System, 1999)
200,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
Off Roadway
On Roadway
ROLLOVER RATE BY VEHICLE TYPE- 1999
-Per 100 Crashes(Source: NHTSA General Estimates System, 1999)
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Passenger Cars
Pickups
SUV's
Vans
LOADED VANS AT GREATER RISK TO ROLL
Passengers Crashes Rollovers
Less than 5
1,815
Rollover Ratio*
224
12.3%
5–9
77
16
20.8%
More than 9
65
23
35.4%
* PERCENTAGE OF CRASHES THAT ARE ROLLOVERS
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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)).
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.
HEADLINES
Feb. 2000 -
Four members of Prairie View A&M
University track team killed and seven
injured in rollover.
Sept. 2000 -
Two students killed in rollover of
Wisconsin Oshkosh Swim Team van.
2000 -
Depaul womens track team van rolled
over.
2000 -
Tragedy strikes at Kenyon College as
womens swim team is involved in van
rollover.
HEADLINES (Continued)
2000 -
Student and teacher driver killed
when van carrying Chaminade High
School students “over corrects” and
van rolls over off the pavement.
1998 -
Southern CT State University
severely injured in van rollover.
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.
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY/MEDIA INVOLVEMENT
(Continued)
• NCAA.org • usatoday.com -
The NCAA News and features
Packed vans have a higher risk of
rollovers.
• Safetyforum.com - White paper by Attorney of
Record about 15 passenger vans.
• 60 Minutes
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)?
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.
RISK CONTROL
NHTSA Recommendations:
• Insist that ALL occupants wear seatbelts at all
times (92% of belted occupants survived SingleVehicle 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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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