An analysis study was carried out into accidents involving vans that took place in the Netherlands in 1994. Based on the various vehicle properties, the vans were divided into six categories: (1) specific delivery buses, such as the Ford Transit; (2) vans derived from the passenger car type, such as station wagons; (3) vans with a chassis derivative of a lorry type; (4) jeeps, pick-up trucks, all-terrain cars, etcetera without rear seats; (5) standard passenger cars with no rear seats and blinded rear side windows (special commercial category); and (6) space wagon. With a share of 38%, the standard delivery bus is most often represented in the accidents involving vans in 1994. In this year, there was a high increase in the number of accidents involving vans. Based on the number of severely injured van occupants (fatalities and hospital admissions), it was determined for the converted passenger cars that three characteristics were overrepresented: (a) age (drivers of 65 years and over); (b) alcohol consumption; and (c) point in time (week-end days and evenings/nights). Accidents involving standard delivery buses occurred relatively often on 100 and 120 km/h roads. It is recommended that more attention should be paid to the risk of vans for their collision partner.
Samenvatting