15-Passenger Vans Pose Safety Risks

As we enter warmer weather seasons, group activities are more frequent, outdoor athletic events are common, youth programs and outings increase, day trips for group home residents are planned and so on. It's the time of year when groups of people are on the go, and 15-passenger vans are the source of transportation for many of these activities. While many organizations rely on these vehicles, there are risks that both organizations and their drivers need to understand related to 15-passenger vans. 

To keep your passengers safe, organizations that utilize 15-passenger vans will want to implement the following safety practices to minimize the risks. 

• In order of priority, require drivers to have
  • A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) OR
  • Pass a defensive driving course to operate a 15-passenger van. The course must meet the following minimum requirements: Note: Internet-based programs are acceptable.
    • Four (4) hours of instruction time.
    • Testing with written results.
    • Driver certification.
    • Examples of defensive driving courses are listed on the National Safety Council's website.  
• Carefully screen all drivers.
• Do pre- and post-trip inspections of the vehicle.
• Communicate safe procedures to all occupants.
• Require seatbelt use by all passengers.
• Have safety items on board the vehicle (cell phone, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher).
• Do not transport children to and from school using these types of vehicles (applies to churches and schools).

To prevent rollovers, the following measures are very important:

• Buy high quality tires.
• Keep the gas tank as full as possible.
• Drive conservatively.
• Fill the front seats first.
• Never load items on the roof.
• Remove the backseat.

So plan your group events and related transportation . . . but play it safe and ensure your procedures adhere to the measures listed above. Then, everyone can sit back and enjoy the ride! 

© 2024 GuideOne Insurance. GuideOne® is the registered trademark of the GuideOne Insurance Company. All rights reserved. This material is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to give specific legal or risk management advice, nor are any suggested checklists or action plans intended to include or address all possible risk management exposures or solutions. You are encouraged to retain your own expert consultants and legal advisors in order to develop a risk management plan specific to your own activities.