Traveling In A 15-Passenger Van: Some Safety Tips to Consider
San Antonio, TX, 8th April 2022, ZEXPRWIRE, If you have a group of 10-15 people that requires moving from place to place, a 15-passenger van can be a convenient option. However, as convenient as it may seem, 15-passenger vans are prone to rollover accidents and require driving with caution.
According to the NHTSA, while the 15-seater may be classified as a van, it does not drive like an ordinary van and may be problematic for inexperienced drivers. The NHTSA proposes a set of safety tips that can help ensure that passengers, the driver, and other road users are safe when traveling in a 15-passenger vehicle.
Safety Starts with The Driver
According to NHTSA, the driver’s experience is the first thing you need to consider before getting on the road on a 15-starter van. A 15-passenger van is not your everyday van and should only be operated by drivers with experience using the vehicle. The NTHSA recommends a minimum of a commercial vehicle operator license to drive this vehicle.
While it is required that every driver focuses on the road, the threshold of focus is higher for full-size van drivers. Using devices like phones and GPS trackers should be out of the question.
It is also advisable that the driver minimizes communication with their passengers and limits their driving hours to eight hours in 24 hours to ensure that they are well-rested. If you plan for a longer than eight-hour drive, you may want to consider covering the distance in chunks of eight hours per day or having another driver on board.
Buckle Up
Like other vehicles, the driver must ensure that all seats have functional safety belts and that all passengers buckle up before setting off on a drive. Buckling up minimizes the chances of being ejected if the vehicle is involved in a rollover accident.
According to the NHTSA, of all the 15-passenger van occupants killed in rollover accidents between 2010 to 2019, 57 percent of them were ejected. Unfortunately, rollover accidents are among the most common types of accidents associated with this type of vehicle. According to studies conducted by the NHTSA, the chances of a rollover increase exponentially when the load capacity exceeds ten passages.
Check Tire Pressure and Avoid Overloading
Eleven percent of full-size vans are attributed to underinflated tires. The NHTSA recommends checking tires before starting and at intervals throughout the journey. The road safety body has created laws requiring vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less to be fitted with pressure monitoring systems during manufacture. The monitoring system notifies the driver when tire pressure falls 25 percent below the recommended level.
Never Overload
A 15-passenger van is designed for up to 15 passengers; it only makes sense that only 15 passengers board it. After all, there are only 15 seats with 15 safety belts. If less than 15 passengers are traveling, it is recommended to have them occupy the rear seats and only sit in the front if the rear seats are filled up to ensure even load distribution.
If you’ve been in an accident involving a 15 passenger van, a compassionate lawyer can analyze the situation to determine whether you have legal options. Rollover van accidents often entitle survivors to financial compensation, and an experienced personal injury attorney can help protect your rights as a careful driver.
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