Study: Number of passengers in vans increases rollover risk

Jul 27, 2009

The risk of a rollover crash in 15-passenger vans increases dramatically when the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than 10, according to data released May 20 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A study (.pdf file) shows that in 2007, the number of fatalities for 15-passenger vans increased nearly 20 percent from 2006. Other findings show:

• About one-fourth of fatally injured occupants of 15-passenger vans during the past five year were drivers.
• In 2007, 45 fatalities occurred in 15-passenger vans that rolled over – 73 percent more than in 2006.

NHTSA officials recommend drivers of 15-passenger vans insist all occupants wear seat belts at all times, drivers of these vans are trained and experienced, tires are checked at least once a week using the manufacturer's recommended pressure levels, and no loads are placed on the vehicle's roof.