The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cautioned universities and organizations across the country about the possibility of fatal injuries in roll-over accidents involving passenger vans.According to the report, loading 10 or more people into 15-passenger vans heightens the possibility of the vehicle rolling over during a crash.
The report also said vans with fewer than five passengers stand a 12.3 percent chance of rolling over during a crash. Vans with 10 to 15 passengers have a 29.1 percent chance of tipping over, and those with more than 15 passengers rolled over in 70 percent of the crashes. Data was taken from wrecks recorded in Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah from 1994 to 1997.
Dan Geiger, coordinator of the Outdoor Program, said he questions the report’s findings, because the figures released do not specify the characteristics of the study. He also questioned the final figure, saying there should never be more than 15 passengers placed in a van specifically made to fit 15.
It should be “based on what you can safely put in the van,” he said.
He said the Outdoor Program currently uses vans that weigh one ton, which he said decreases the possibility of the van rolling over.
Greg Goracke, associate athletic director at Oregon State University, said the school has attempted to phase out using vans for its athletic teams as much as possible.
“We want to take the element of risk out of our athletes’ hands,” he said.
He said the Athletic Department encourages its teams to use buses whenever possible. There are times though, when teams have to use vans to get to events.
Sandra Vaughn, recreation coordinator for the EMU, said she appreciates the information the NHTSA has provided and will use it when scheduling trips. But, she said, most trips taken by Club Sports teams do not have a full load.
“It’s difficult to take a full load in these vans,” she said, adding the amount of equipment and personal luggage makes it tough for teams to use less than two vans.
There have been reported incidents of accidents at the University involving passenger vans, one as recently as last week.
Vaughn said members of the Club Sports baseball team were involved in a minor “fender-bender” while traveling on Interstate 5 last week, though no damage was done to the team’s vehicle. No players suffered injuries.
Gregg Lobisser, director of student activities in the EMU, said he remembers an incident approximately 10 years ago involving University students and a passenger van. Although he could not recall specific facts from the incident, he said the driver, a University student, became drowsy. The student then overcompensated to avoid a crash and caused an accident, but fortunately there were no serious injuries.
Lobisser said the University needs to acknowledge the report.
“It’s certainly something we should be aware of as a University and EMU and ASUO programs,” he said. “It’s good to be mindful of it.”
Lobisser said the University is doing a good job of educating potential drivers on the safety of the road.
“You could say we’re a little bit ahead of the curve in the education we do,” he said, but added that “we need to incorporate some of [the NHTSA’s] information into our thinking.”