15 Passenger Van

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• 15 Passenger Van
• Safety Training

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INTRODUCTION

• Many people, when they hop into the drivers seat
  of a 15-passenger van, expect to drive it just
  like they do their own car. Unfortunately, this
  belief puts them and their passengers at risk,
  because 15-passenger vans dont handle like
  passenger cars. Driving 15-passenger vans
  requires certain safety precautions.
  Understanding why these types of vans need
  special care will get you and your passengers to
  your destination safely.

Health Safety CoordinatorAnthony Salatino
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CAUSE FOR CONCERN

• Numerous 15-passenger vans have been involved in
  fatal crashes, a fact which has raised many
  concerns about these vehicles.
• In California, a 15-passenger van carrying 14
  young adults to a religious retreat rolled over,
  killing five passengers. They were only five
  minutes away from their destination.
• In Colorado, five firefighters were killed on the
  way to a forest fire when their 15-passenger van
  rolled.
• In Maine, a 15-passenger van full of forestry
  workers crashed and rolled over causing the
  deaths of 14 passengers.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety
  Administration (NHTSA) found

Health Safety CoordinatorAnthony Salatino
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CONT.

• In a recent 12 year period, there were over 1,570
  fatal crashes involving 15-passenger vans.
• These crashes accounted for over 1,100 passenger
  deaths.
• The rollover risk of 15-passenger vans
  dramatically increases as the number of
  passengers increases.
• Fifteen-passenger vans with ten or more occupants
  had a rollover rate in single-vehicle crashes
  nearly three times the rate as when they were
  lightly-loaded.
• A 15-passenger van rolling over when it is
  filled to the capacity is five times the odds of
  rollover when the driver is the only one in the
  van.

Health Safety CoordinatorAnthony Salatino
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FACTORS AFFECTING CRASH AND INJURY RATES

• CENTER OF GRAVITY
• As more people fill a 15-passenger van, the
  center of gravity moves upward and toward the
  rear of the van.
• This makes the van more likely to roll over.
• It also makes the van handle differently from
  most cars.
• These factors increase the chances that a driver
  will lose control of the van, especially when
  reacting to unforeseen circumstances, like being
  cut off by another vehicle.

Health Safety CoordinatorAnthony Salatino
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SPEED and ROAD CHARACTERISTICS

• NHTSA found that the rate of a rollover increased
  significantly at speeds over 50 miles per hour
  and on curved roads.
• SAFETY BELTS
• Striking research shows that safety belt use
  among occupants of 15-passenger vans is very low
  compared to other types of vehicles. This
  increases the odds of fatalities occurring from a
  rollover.
• DRIVERS AGE vs. EXPERIENCE
• When it comes to crashes, the age of the
  driver was less of a factor than the amount of
  experience he or she had. A majority of highly
  publicized crashes involved inexperienced
  drivers. Many drivers operate 15-passenger vans
  infrequently and often dont have formal
  training.

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COMMON CAUSES of ROLLOVER

• Rollover crashes can be deadly, so its important
  to know the common situations that cause the
  majority of 15-passenger van rollovers.
• RUNNING OFF THE ROAD
• A 15-passenger van could roll over when it
• Hits a ditch or embankment
• Runs into soft soil
• Is tripped by running into or over a curb or
  similar object.
• A wheel drops off the pavement.
• Making a panic reaction to an emergency.
• Overcorrecting is referred to as over-steering.

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cont.

• FATIGUE
• A rollover can also occur when a driver is
  tired, dozes off at the wheel and loses control
  of the van.
• TRAVELING TOO FAST
• A 15-passenger van can slide sideways and off
  the road when the driver is traveling too fast
  for the road conditions, especially when the
  pavement is wet or icy. When the vans tires hit
  the softer earth, the van could likely roll over.

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SAFETY GUIDELINES

• The first thing to remember when driving a
  15-passenger van is that it isnt simply a big
  car. A van handles differently, especially when
  fully loaded. Drivers should be trained and
  experienced. As a comparison, federal law
  requires a commercial drivers license to
  transport 16 or more people for commercial
  purposes.
• BEFORE SETTING OFF
• Inspect the van.
• Familiarize yourself with the locations of
  controls such as headlight switches and
  windshield wipers.
• Check the position of mirrors and adjust the
  seat.
• Tire pressure and tread wear should be checked
  weekly.
• Tires improperly inflated can cause a blowout.

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LOADING THE VAN

• Fill in the front seats first.
• If possible, have passengers and cargo forward of
  the rear axle.
• If the van is loaded to capacity, remind yourself
  that the center of gravity has shifted and the
  van will handle differently than when you are
  driving alone or with just a few people.
• You should never have more than 15 people riding
  in the van.
• Avoid placing loads on the roof of the van, doing
  so increases the risk of a rollover.

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RESTRAINTS

• One of the most important safety tips when
  operating a van is to make sure every passenger
  is buckled at ALL times.
• NHTSA found that 80 of passengers killed in
  rollover crashes involving 15-passenger vans were
  not using safety belts.
• People who use safety belts are 75 less likely
  to be killed in a rollover crash than those who
  dont.
• IT IS CRITICAL TO REQUIRE THE USE OF SAFETY
  BELTS, EVEN IF DRIVING AROUND CAMPUS or LOCALLY.

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DEFENSIVE DRIVING

• While on the road, use defense driving
  techniques
• Be alert and stay focused on your task.
• Do not use a cell phone while driving.
• Dont tailgate leave more space between you and
  the vehicle in front of you than you would if you
  were driving a car. A 15-passenger van requires
  much more braking distance.
• On the highway, be mindful of your blind spots.
  Allow more space and use side-mirrors when
  changing lanes.Most rollovers are a result of
  sudden steering maneuver while traveling at high
  speeds. Therefore
• DO not follow other vehicles too closely.
• Avoid changing lanes abruptly.

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ADDITIONAL DRIVING TIPS

• Drive during the day if possible.
• Have someone stay awake in the front seat with
  you to help keep you alert.
• Take breaks often, especially if feeling tired.
• Never drive after drinking or taking drugs, which
  includes some prescription and over-the-counter
  medications.
• Drive at a safe speed for the weather and road
  conditions.
• Remember, the speed you normally drive in a car
  may be too fast for a 15-passenger van.

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CONCLUSION

• If you are driving a 15-passenger van, find out
  if you can practice driving the van before you
  transport any passengers or cargo. This will
  help you get the feel of the size and handling.
• REMEMBER
• Make sure everyone, including you, uses a safety
  belt at ALL times. In fact, require each person
  to put on his or her safety belt before the van
  leaves the parking lot.
• While driving, avoid sharp turns, abrupt lane
  changes or steering maneuvers.
• Always maintain a safe speed for the weather and
  road conditions.

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15-PASSENGER VAN QUIZ

• Answer TRUE or FALSE
• 1. Driving a 15-passenger van is just like
  driving a car. _________
• 2. The risk of a 15-passenger van rolling over
  increases dramatically as the number of passenger
  increases. _________
• 3. As more people fill a 15-passenger van, the
  center of gravity moves downward and to the front
  of the van. __________
• 4. Speed is not a factor in rollovers.
  _________
• 5. Research shows that occupants of
  15-passenger vans use safety belts much less than
  occupants of other types of vehicles._______
• 6. Inexperience is more of a factor in crashes
  of 15-passenger vans than age.______
• 7. Two of the most common causes of rollovers
  is the wheels running off the road and
  overcorrecting the steering.______
• 8. Its just as easy to drive at night as it
  is during the day.________
• 9. The vans tire pressure and tread wear
  should be checked least once a week. ________

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TRAINING15 Passenger Van

• I have attended the 15 Passenger Van Training and
  completed and passed the required Quiz.
• ____________________________________
• Employees Signature Date
• ____________________________________
• Trainers Name
  Date
• Note This record may be included in the
  employees personnel or training file.