CAMPUS ADVISORY:
INCREASED RISK OF ROLLOVERS WITH 15-PASSENGER VANS

To: All Departments and Offices That Use 15 Passenger Vans

From: Mary Dewey, Director of Risk Management

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a cautionary warning to users of 15 passenger vans because of an increased rollover risk under certain conditions.

When carrying fewer than five passengers, 15 passenger vans have a rollover risk similar to light trucks and smaller vans. However, the risk rises dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five occupants to more than ten passengers. In fact, 15-passenger vans with ten or more occupants had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly three times the rate of those that were lightly loaded.

Apparently, the increased loading of these vans causes the center of gravity to shift higher and toward the rear, thereby increasing the likelihood of rollover. The center of gravity shift also results in less driver control of the vehicle in panic situations.

While at this time we are not recommending an outright ban of the use of 15 passenger vans, we do recommend that UVM departments and offices that own, lease or rent 15 passenger vans heed the following guidelines to reduce the risk of rollover:

• All vehicles, including 15 passenger vans, whether UVM owned, leased or rented, should always be operated by drivers, who have attended UVM Risk Management's driver training class and have had a motor vehicle record check done within the last three years. Drivers need to understand the handling characteristics of vans, especially when fully loaded.
• Vehicle operators should assure that all their passengers are wearing their seat belts. (The NHTSA indicates that you can reduce your chance of being killed in a rollover by about 75% just by wearing a seat belt.)
• Evenly load the vehicles and load front first (i.e. empty or remove the back seat). Limit passenger numbers to 10 or less.
• Luggage should be placed in the rear behind the back seat. Roof loads increase the center of gravity, and hence, the risk of rollover. Roof racks should be removed.
• Inquire of the dealership whether they will retrofit your 15-passenger van with an improved suspension system.
• Use charter buses or other contracted transport, or mini-vans for long trips. Use 15 passenger vans only for shorter trips - 200 miles or less one way.
• For long distance trips, drivers should rotate every two hours. If there are not enough drivers to rotate, an overnight stay should be planned. Do not drive past midnight.
• Front passenger should remain awake to help keep the driver alert.
• Avoid conditions that lead to loss of control - driving while sleepy or inattentive, or driving too fast for road conditions.
• If the weather is inclement, please stop and stay overnight in a safe place. The additional lodging cost is worth avoiding the risk.
• Drivers transporting 16 or more persons must have a commercial drivers license (CDL).
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Avoid extreme panic-like over-steering.
• Reduce the number of 15-passenger vans in the University fleet - e.g. replace old vans with mini passenger vans or order through a 15-passenger school bus manufacturer (School buses are manufactured to different specific safety requirements, which are more stringent.)
• Do not use cell phones while driving.
• Maintain vehicles and their tires. Worn tires can increase the risk of rollover.
• Report all accidents to UVM Risk Management and the local police immediately.

Many of these guidelines apply to all vehicle usage, not just 15 passenger vans. Failure to follow them puts passengers and the University at risk and may put individual drivers at risk, including, but not limited to, holding them personally accountable for intentionally disregarding these recommendations.

For questions or clarification, please contact our office at 656-3242.

7/01 Department of Risk Management