15-Passenger vans are more likely to rollover versus other types of vehicles. A fully occupied 15-passenger van is 5 times more likely to rollover versus a 15-passenger van with less than 15 passengers. Also, 15-passenger vans are 5 times more likely to rollover on high speed roads at or above 55 mph, and 15-passenger vans are twice as likely to rollover on curved roads than on straight roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), education on 15-passenger van safety has helped reduce the number of fatal rollover accidents by:
15-Passenger vans are much longer, wider and heavier than other vehicles and they have a high center of gravity which can effect:
Improperly inflated tires adversely affect van handling and significantly increases tire blowout and rollover accident potential. A recent study by NHTSA found under inflated tires on:
According to NHTSA, rollover and blowout type accidents are mainly attributed to:
The side mirrors on a 15-passenger van should be adjusted by each driver, prior to initial movement, so that they:
During rain, sleet, snow or ice, a 15-passenger van with an antilock braking system does NOT require pumping of the brakes. In opposition to an older vehicle without antilock brakes, pumping of the brakes is recommended to prevent skidding.
You should limit the amount of weight placed in the van. Place all weight as far forward in the van as possible. The risk of rollover crashes are greatly increased with one or a combination of the following conditions:
It is required to always wear a seat belt. If transporting children, state child safety restraint laws should be obeyed. According to NHTSA, 92% of occupants wearing a seat belt involving 15-passenger vans, survived fatal injuries.
To prevent 15-passenger van accidents, the following should be emphasized:
The faster the vehicle travels and the heavier the vehicle, the longer it takes for the vehicle to stop. For a 15-passenger van, the total stopping distance at 55 mph is:
Drivers should maintain a cushion of safety around the vehicle. Drivers of a 15-passenger van should give themselves time to react, time to stop or time to make an evasive maneuver if necessary. The following distance rule while driving a 15-passenger van should be the:
Under which condition should you add at least one to two seconds to your following distance?
Which hand position on the steering wheel helps decrease abrupt steering and arm fatigue, while allowing proper air bag deployment?
In addition to abrupt steering, lane changing can create a rollover potential. Drivers should:
In addition to abrupt steering, turning can create a rollover potential. Drivers should:
When following in heavy traffic, you should do all of the following:
- Drive in the right lane
- Cover brakes
- See the back two tires of the vehicle ahead of you on the pavement
According to the NHTSA, 70% of backing accidents involve hitting stationary objects. Which of the following is not recommended as a way of reducing backing accidents?
At drop off and pick up sites, drivers should:
The following should be done during loading of a 15-passenger van: