Covenant News - Safety Warning May Include Certain Church Vans

Covenant News

Safety Warning May Include Certain Church Vans

CHICAGO (April 10, 2001) - Several models of 15-passenger vans popular among churches and colleges face an increased risk of rolling over when fully loaded, according to a cautionary warning issued Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When carrying 10 or more occupants, the risk of a single-vehicle rollover is three times that of similar vehicles that are lightly loaded, NHTSA research indicates. It is believed that a fully loaded van causes the center of gravity to shift to rearward and upward, increasing the potential for loss of control in panic maneuvers.

Seven vehicle models, covering all years in which the models were sold, are listed in the NHTSA warning. They include the Chevrolet Express 3500, GMC Savana G3500, Dodge Ram Van/Wagon B3500, Dodge Ram Wagon B350, Ford Econoline E350, Ford Club Wagon E350 and the GMC Rally/Vandura G3500.

"Because of these risks, it is important that these vans be operated by experienced drivers, NHTSA advises. The report also reminds operators that a person transporting 16 or more people for commercial purposes is required to have a commercial driver's license. "Although the drivers of these (15-passenger) vehicles are not required to possess a commercial driver's license, they should still understand and be familiar with the handling characteristics of their vans, especially when the van is fully loaded," the warning continued.

Federal law prohibits the sale of 15-passenger vans for the school-related transport of high school age and younger adults, NHTSA notes, although no similar prohibition exists for vehicles that transport college students or other passengers.

Local churches and other groups interested in obtaining additional detail may download a copy of the consumer advisory at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press. A link at the bottom of that advisory will direct browsers to a detailed copy of the NHTSA analysis of the rollover characteristics of 15-passenger vans.

Printable version of this page.