NHTSA Repeats Rollover Warning To Users of 15-Passenger Vans |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
April 15, 2002
NHTSA 27-02
Monday, April 15, 2002
Contact: Rae Tyson
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
The nation's top motor vehicle safety executive, Jeffrey Runge, M.D., head of the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), today reissued a cautionary warning to users of 15-passenger vans because of an increased rollover risk under certain conditions. A similar warning was issued in 2001.
The safety agency also unveiled a consumer flyer for users of 15-passenger vans.
NHTSA research has shown that 15-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than ten. In fact, 15-passenger vans (with 10 or more occupants) had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly three times the rate of those that were lightly loaded.
"Because of these risks, it is vital that users of 15-passenger vans be aware of some safety precautions that will significantly reduce the risk," said Dr. Runge.
Among the recommendations are the following:
It is important that 15-passenger vans be operated by trained, experienced drivers.
Insist that all occupants wear seat belts at all times. Eighty percent of those who died in 15-passenger van rollovers nationwide in the year 2000 were not buckled up. Wearing seat belts dramatically increases the chances of survival during a rollover crash. In fatal, single-vehicle rollovers involving 15-passenger vans over the past decade, 92 percent of belted occupants survived.