Van Safety

15 PASSENGER VANS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM Bisnar Chase

Step off a plane and the airport hotel is likely to pick you up in a 15-passenger van. Your local daycare center, YMCA, seniors group and church routinely transports your family in 15-passenger vans. In fact, there are approximately 1.4 million 15-passenger vans currently in use in the United States and most people who ride in them don't realize the danger until a tragedy happens.

The NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) has recently re-issued the consumer advisory of a year ago, warning that the vans are THREE TIMES more likely to rollover in a single vehicle crash. The vans have a high center of gravity and, when loaded with more than 10 passengers, become extremely vulnerable to a rollover.

Fifteen passenger vans are popular with community and service groups because, unlike larger vans and school buses, no commercial drivers license is required to operate one. Even though it is illegal to transport elementary and high school students in a 15 passenger van, no law exists prohibiting any other group from transporting passengers in these vans.

Visit our 15-Passenger Van Accident Website

REDUCING THE RISK OF A ROLLOVER

There are several things that can be done to reduce the risk of a 15-passenger van rollover.

• Always Wear Seat Belts Passengers can dramatically reduce their risk of being killed or seriously injured in a rollover crash by simply using their seat belts. Seat belt use has an even greater effect on reducing the deadliness of rollover crashes than on other crashes because so many victims of rollover crashes die as a result of being partially or completely thrown from the vehicle. Belted occupants are about 75% less likely to be killed in a rollover crash than unbelted occupants.
• Avoid Conditions That Lead To Loss Of Control Common reasons drivers lose control of their vehicles and run off of the road include: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while sleepy or inattentive, or driving too fast for the conditions.
• Be Careful on Rural Roads Drivers should be particularly cautious on curved rural roads and maintain a safe speed to avoid running off the road and striking a ditch or embankment and rolling over.
• Avoid Extreme Panic-like Steering Another condition which may cause a rollover is where a driver overcorrects the steering as a panic reaction to an emergency or to something as simple as dropping a wheel off the pavement). Especially at freeway speeds, over correcting or excessive steering may cause the driver to lose control resulting in the vehicle sliding sideways and rolling over. If your vehicle should go off the roadway, gradually reduce the vehicle speed and then ease the vehicle back on to the roadway when it is safe to do so.
• Maintain Tires Properly Since maintaining vehicle control is the most important factor in minimizing the chances of a vehicle rollover, improperly inflated and worn tires can be dangerous. Worn tires may cause the vehicle to slide sideways on wet or slippery pavement, resulting in the vehicle sliding off the road and increasing the risk of rolling over. Improper inflation can accelerate tire wear, and can even lead to catastrophic failures. It is important that consumers maintain tires properly and replace them, when necessary.
• Load Vehicles Properly Consult your owner's manual to determine the maximum safe load for your vehicle, and the proper distribution of that load. Pay special attention to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions and weight limits when using any type of roof rack. Any load placed on the roof will be above the center of gravity of the vehicle and will increase the likelihood of rolling over.

DOT Auto Safety Hotline
1-888-DASH-2-DOT

REPORT A VEHICLE SAFETY PROBLEM

NHTSA maintains a web site that offers up-to-date information on all recalls. You can go to their site www.nhtsa.dot.gov to get information on recalls and to receive a form for reporting a vehicle safety problem. If you prefer, you can call the DOT Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT to report the problem directly to a NHTSA representative.

If a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must fix it at no cost to the owner. Your report is the first step in the process.

Government engineers analyze the problem. If warranted, the manufacturer is asked to conduct a recall. If the manufacturer does not initiate a recall, the government can order the manufacturer to do a recall.

CELLULAR PHONES

It is estimated that there are over 80 million cell phones currently in use in the United States. The increase in the cell phones affordability and functionality has resulted in a growth rate of over 40% per year and, not surprisingly, the use of cell phones while driving is now becoming commonplace. 85% of cell phone owners use their phones occasionally while driving and more than 27% use their cell phones more than 50% of the time.

Many concerns have been raised about increased probability of being involved in an accident related to the use of cell phones while driving. Several States are passing laws prohibiting their use while driving or, at least, making it mandatory to operate them "hands free". Check with your local Department of Transportation to see if cell phone restrictions apply in your jurisdiction.

AIR BAGS

The following consumer advisory has been issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for owners of passenger cars and light trucks equipped with side air bags:"Side impact air bags can provide significant supplemental safety benefits to adults in side impact crashes. However, children who are seated in close proximity to a side air bag may be at risk of serious or fatal injury, especially if the child's head, neck, or chest is in close proximity to the air bag at the time of deployment. Because there are variations in the design and performance of side air bags, manufacturers should notify consumers regarding whether it is safe for children to sit next to the side air bags. Children 12 and under should always travel in the rear seat and use an age appropriate restraint."Since children should be seated in the rear seat, NHTSA has asked each manufacturer of vehicles with rear side air bags to ship the vehicles to dealers with these air bags deactivated, unless the manufacturer has determined that those side air bags impose no significant risk to children. Purchasers who want such air bags activated, after being advised of the potential risk to out of position children, should be able to have them switched on by their dealer. We are also asking manufacturers to advise current owners of vehicles with such rear side air bags that the owners can bring them back to their dealer to have the bags deactivated if they are likely to be carrying children in the rear outboard seats."

HELPFUL GUIDELINES FOR ACCIDENT SCENE MANAGEMENT

If you arrive at the scene of an accident - and there are no emergency personnel yet on the scene - there are a few useful and often life-saving steps that you can take to assist with the injured passengers.

1. Remain calm and think. Your calm and reassuring attitude is crucial.
2. Call 911 immediately if you have access to a phone. If no phone is available, send someone to get help.
3. Establish communication with the victim. Tell them your name. Tell them that an ambulance is on the way. Tell them not to move until emergency personnel arrive. Stay with the victim if possible.
4. Check the victim for breathing. Make sure there is nothing impeding their airway. Stem any bleeding if you can and make sure you do not move the victim unless they are in extreme danger of further injury.
5. If more than one person is injured, try to assess the most critical. It is important to tell emergency personnel how many are injured and how severely.
6. Check the scene for hazards such as oil spills, downed power lines, and the potential for fire.
7. Try to create a traffic barrier and if possible form a safety circle around the accident site.
8. Make sure that emergency personnel have clear access to the scene.
9. Once emergency personnel arrive, stay out of their way and let them do their job. Assist only if called upon.

Everyone should consider investing in a CPR training course.