While 15-passenger vans are convenient, drivers and passengers must use caution to minimize the risks associated with these vehicles. NHTSA research has shown that 15-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than ten.1 In fact, 15-passenger vans with 10 or more occupants had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly three times the rate of those that had fewer than five occupants. NHTSA recommends that drivers insist all occupants wear safety belts at all times; that drivers of 15-passenger vans are trained and experienced; tires are checked at least once a week, using the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels; and no loads are placed on the roof of the vehicle.3 The purpose of this study is to increase the knowledge of fatalities of occupants of 15-passenger vans by looking at the demographics of those that drive and ride in these vans when they are involved in fatal crashes, in addition to updating rollover and restraint data. Highlights of the findings include:O In 2007, fatalities to occupants of 15-passenger vans increased nearly 20% from the previous year. * About one-fourth of fatally injured occupants of 15-pas-senger vans, over the last 5 years, were drivers. * The median age group for drivers killed in 15-passenger vans is 45 to 54; the median age group for passengers is 25 to 34. * In 2007, there were 45 fatalities in 15-passenger vans that rolled over, 73% more than in 2006.* About 80 percent of the fatally injured van occupants in rollovers in the past 5 years were not restrained. (Author/publisher)
Abstract