Dangers of 15-Passenger Vans

Abstract

Emergency Medicine| April 01 2005 Dangers of 15-Passenger Vans AAP Grand Rounds (2005) 13 (4): 37–38. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.13-4-37 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Dangers of 15-Passenger Vans. AAP Grand Rounds April 2005; 13 (4): 37–38. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.13-4-37 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: seat belts, transportation, older drivers, pedestrian, univariate analysis, center of gravity, automobiles, school bus, secondary schools, accidents Source: (1) McKay MP, Vaca F. Analysis of crashes involving 15-passenger vans. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;44:656–657. (2) McKay MP, Vaca F. Commentary: supersized vans: a supersized problem. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;44:657–659. Children and adolescents belonging to non-school organizations such as athletic groups and church choirs are frequent occupants in 15-passenger vans. These vans were initially designed for cargo transportation, but many have been converted to passenger use. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published an in-depth analysis of crashes involving these vans.1 The NHTSA report included a univariate analysis using data from the Fatal Accident Reporting System for the years 1992–2002, and a logistic regression model to examine selected risk factors that used the NHTSA State Data System (18 states included) for all police-reported 15-passenger van crashes from 1994–2002. During the 11-year study period, of 2083 van crash fatalities, 53% (1111) were van occupants, 36% (736) other vehicle occupants, and 11% (236) non-occupants (eg, pedestrians). Most of the occupant fatalities (62%) occurred in single vehicle crashes, and the majority of deaths (72%) involved passengers not wearing safety belts. Ejection from the van during collision was related to seat belt use, with 72% of unrestrained occupants ejected compared to 18% of those using safety belts. Most fatalities (62%) in these crashes were ejected from the vehicle. Ninety-two percent of belted occupants survived crashes. The study found that the likelihood of rollover crashes is increased in 15-passenger vans. The risk of a rollover is increased 5-fold when the van is fully loaded with passengers. This compares to a 2-fold increased risk of rollover with a fully loaded sports utility van (SUV), and a 1.3-fold increase for a fully loaded mini-van. Rollover crashes were more than twice as likely to occur on curved roads as compared to straight ones. The accompanying commentary notes that taller vehicles are at increased risk of rollover because of their higher center of gravity, and additional passengers, luggage, and other equipment (including that placed on the roof) may all ride above the unloaded vehicle’s center of gravity, further increasing the risk. Young drivers may be inexperienced with the special characteristics of driving 15- passenger vans. The rollover rate for young drivers in SUV crashes is 11 times higher than for older drivers, compared to only 4 times higher in non-rollover SUV crashes. Hence, putting a young driver behind the wheel of a fully loaded 15-passenger van will likely increase the risk of a rollover crash even more. Rollovers are also more common when speeds exceed 50 miles per hour and when driving on curved roads. Dr. Ronald Paul has disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this commentary. If you have ever taken a shuttle from the airport to your hotel or convention site, you have probably been an occupant in a 15-passenger van. While every seat has a seat belt associated with it, some safety belts are located on the wall next to... You do not currently have access to this content.