On June 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Transportation's
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) re-issued a warning
to users of 15-passenger vans because of an increased rollover risk under
certain conditions. Similar warnings were issued in 2001 and 2002.
The safety agency also unveiled an updated consumer hangtag for users
of 15-passenger vans and released three related research reports. One
of the reports is a detailed analysis of 15-passenger van crashes between
1990 and 2002.
The newly released NHTSA research reinforces the fact that 15-passenger
vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of
occupants increases to full capacity. In fact, the likelihood of a rollover
when a van is fully loaded is about five times greater than when the
vehicle contains only a driver. While an increased likelihood of rollover
is present for other types of fully loaded passenger vehicles, it is
most pronounced for 15-passenger vans.
The new NHTSA analysis also showed that the risk of rollover increased
significantly at speeds over 50 miles per hour and on curved roads.
NHTSA is re-issuing this advisory to specifically alert those who plan
to use the vans this summer for group road trips.
"It is vitally important that users of 15-passenger vans be aware
of these risks," said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D. "It
is critical that users follow safety precautions to significantly reduce
those risks."
Among the safety recommendations are the following: |
