FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES ROLL-OVER WARNING FOR 15-PASSENGER VANS
As summer travel season approaches, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging all 15-passenger van users to take appropriate precautions to guard against the possibility of a tragic rollover crash.
NHTSA research shows that 15-passenger vans have a much higher rollover risk than other passenger vehicles, especially when fully loaded with passengers and luggage. In fact, a May 2009 research note published by the NHTSA reported that 15-passenger vans with 10 more occupants have a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly three times the rate of those that had fewer than five occupants. In 2007 fatalities to occupants of 15-passenger vans increased nearly 20% from the previous year.
If you or a family member are planning to take a trip in a 15-passenger van this summer, here are some safety tips offered by the NHTSA to ensure the trip is a safe one:
* Make sure all passengers are using their seat belts at all times. The NHTSA reports that 80% of occupants killed in van rollovers were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
* Make sure the driver has training and experience. Driver inexperience has been a major contributing factor in van crashes.
* Pay special attention to tires prior to a trip. Examine tires for signs of wear and aging, and always check to see if they are properly inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Improperly inflated tires are another common contribution to rollover crashes, especially if the van is fully loaded with passengers and luggage.
Be safe on the road this summer and remember to buckle up!
