15-PASSENGER VAN ALERT

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent these rollovers and to reduce the seriousness of injuries when they do occur. We strongly recommend that you follow these procedures, along with general safety and supervision measures, when operating a large van:

1. The driver and all passengers in vans should wear seat belts. Those who don’t are more likely to be ejected from the van during the rollover, and those ejected tend to suffer the most serious injuries and fatalities.
2. Use mature drivers who have experience with these large vans. Driving a 15-passenger van is much different and more challenging than driving a family car or mini-van. Even experienced drivers may not always be able to get these large vehicles back under control when driving at highway speeds.
3. Before starting out on a trip, inspect the vehicle from front to back and pay close attention to the tires. Many van rollovers are initiated by tire blowouts. Make sure the tires are properly inflated – neither over nor under-inflated.
4. Look for tread wear. The Tire Industry Safety Council recommends that tires be replaced when the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch. Put a penny into a tread groove (where tread is lowest) with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire. (More accurate measurements can be made with a tread depth gauge.) When you do replace tires, purchase tires that are properly sized and rated for your vehicle and load.
5. Do not overload the van. The vehicle may be too heavy to maneuver properly during emergencies when fully loaded with passengers and luggage. Loaded luggage racks on top of the van make controlling the van more difficult. Also, an overloaded vehicle is more likely to cause a blowout.
6. To avoid fatigue on longer trips, have two drivers and take frequent breaks. If your passengers are children, a second adult also is important for supervision purposes.
   Obey posted speed limits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REDUCING THE RISK IN ROLL OVER CRASHES click the link below:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/NHTSA_FLYER.pdf