Table of Contents
Overview
One of the most convenient automobiles available in the United States is the 15-passenger van. These vehicles are popular due to their ability to carry large groups of people from one place to another. A company may use a 15-passenger van to carry employees to a professional conference or senior citizens to a travel destination. Sports teams use these vans to transport students to and from games. Daycare centers use these vehicles to transport children to a specific destination.
However convenient and popular they may be, 15-passenger vans can be dangerous if operators do not have experience driving these types of vehicles. Every driver should remind every occupant to wear a safety belt. Additionally, any driver of a large van should undergo specialized training. Aside from that, drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in good condition. They should check the tire pressure weekly and refrain from storing heavy items on the van’s roof.
Contact Arash Law if you suffered injuries in an accident involving a 15-passenger van. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Safety Measures
Minivans and 15-passenger vans are different vehicles, and drivers should not assume that having experience driving one type means they will necessarily know how to drive the other. Every passenger and every driver should utilize specific safety measures to reduce any risks while driving 15-passenger vans. The following safety measures can help prevent serious bodily injury and death.
Size
15-passenger vans feature long and wide dimensions. Drivers who are accustomed to driving cars should be prepared to allow more space around the van for safe traveling. Aside from that, drivers need to utilize side-view mirrors more often. If a driver attempts to switch lanes without using the side-view mirrors, the risk of an accident increases.
Cargo
Any items of cargo stored in a 15-passenger van should be set ahead of the rear axle. Overloading the vehicle may increase the risk of an accident occurring. In addition, any items placed on the roof of a 15-passenger van may increase the risk of serious bodily injury or death. Consult the operation manual to determine the maximum weight limits for individual passengers and cargo. The operation manual can also help you determine the van’s towing capability.
Occupancy
No more than fifteen individuals should be present in a 15-passenger van at any time. The occupants should fill the 15-passenger van from the front to the back of the van. If fewer than fifteen passengers are riding in the van, the passengers should occupy the seats ahead of the rear axle.
Spares
Every tire will become less durable over time. Both used and new tires will deteriorate with use. All owners should place new tires on a 15-passenger van and refrain from using spare tires. One faulty spare tire on a 15-passenger van may cause a serious accident. You can examine the age of a tire by checking the Tire Identification Number on the side of the sidewall of the tire. Every Tire Identification Number ends in four digits that correspond to the month and year the tire was manufactured.
Tire Pressure
Examine each tire and make sure each one has adequate air pressure before using a 15-passenger van. The tread should be thick on all tires, and every tire should be inflated to its recommended capacity. If tires are not inflated or extremely worn down, the 15-passenger van may roll over and cause serious bodily injury or death. The operation manual contains information regarding the best air pressure and tire size to use in the van model you are using. The back tires and front tires may require different air pressures.
Safety Belts
Every occupant inside a 15-passenger van must wear a safety belt. Also, each individual seatbelt should be examined before each use. Drivers should replace damaged, broken, or missing safety belt parts before using a 15-passenger van.
Speed
Adhere to all speed limits while driving a 15-passenger van. Also, if poor weather conditions arise, such as snow or rain, adjust your speed accordingly. 15-passenger vans need extra time to come to a complete stop. A 15-passenger van cannot turn in the same manner as a small car. Avoiding abrupt turns will reduce the risk of serious bodily injury or death.
Attention
Do not attempt to drive a 15-passenger van if you are fatigued. Avoid using any mobile devices while you are operating such a vehicle. Additionally, refrain from extensive conversations with passengers that take your attention away from the road. Lastly, it is recommended not to spend more than eight hours driving a 15-passenger van in a single 24-hour period.
Experience
Due to unique handling characteristics, 15-passenger vans should ideally be operated by experienced, licensed drivers. Every person who drives a 15-passenger van should have a commercial driver’s license. These vehicles do not handle the same way as cars and operate differently when loaded with luggage and other cargo items.
Operator Assistance Technologies
Novel innovations arise to improve the safety of drivers and passengers. These new technologies aim to save lives and prevent serious bodily injury. Electronic stability technology, forward collision signaling, and lane assistance are among the new developments that help reduce accidents caused by human error. Electronic stability control especially improves the safety of drivers and passengers in 15-passenger vans because the risk of rollover can be mitigated.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Is Committed To Encouraging Safe Driver Behavior On The Roads Of The United States
On August 10, 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users was codified as law. The United States Congress mandated that the Secretary of Transportation must test 15-passenger vans in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s NCAP rollover resistance procedure. Rollover accidents have been a significant problem for 15-passenger vans. If more than five occupants are inside a 15-passenger van, the risk of rollover accidents increases.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also created a safety standard for tire pressure monitoring systems. This standard is applied to small vehicles to reduce the likelihood of tire blowouts. These standards are applicable to automobiles that weigh less than ten thousand pounds.
Fifteen-passenger vans and buses are included under the new safety standard. Vehicle manufacturers nowadays must install four-tire detection systems that alert drivers if any tire under-inflation reading is above twenty-five percent. Approximately eleven percent of rollover accidents involving 15-passenger vans are caused by underinflation.
A research note published in 2008 provided a clear description of fatalities that occurred in 15-passenger van accidents from 1997 to 2006. Single-vehicle rollover accidents provided researchers and developers with important data regarding the causes of single-vehicle rollover accidents involving 15-passenger vans.
Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs
Approximately twenty-eight people in the United States die every day in accidents involving intoxicated drivers. The number of deaths in 2019 was the lowest since 1982, when alcohol data was first reported. Approximately 10,000 people in the United States died in drunk driving accidents in 2019. Each of these deaths might have been prevented.
Minimizing The Risks Of An Accident While Driving A 15-Passenger Van
Every driver has a responsibility to other travelers on the road. Due to their size and handling characteristics, 15-passenger vans require special attention from drivers to reduce the risk of an accident. Drivers who are responsible for the passengers in a 15-passenger van should be alert while driving. Drivers who foster a positive attitude are less likely to be involved in accidents.
Developing Effective Driving Habits
Drivers need to develop good driving habits if they are going to be transporting people in 15-passenger vans. If a van driver develops bad habits, it is more likely that an accident will occur. Van drivers can avoid many dangerous situations by building safe and effective driving habits that can reduce the likelihood of serious bodily injury or death.
Getting Inside And Outside A 15-Passenger Van
Drivers should adjust the seat before they start the engine of their van. A proper seat adjustment will enable the driver to maintain the correct posture while driving. Van drivers should also adjust the rearview and side-view mirrors to keep their view unobstructed by objects or malfunctioning mirrors. Before starting the van, drivers should make all passengers attach their safety belts. Some drivers may be using a manual transmission, while others will be using an automatic transmission. In either case, drivers need to follow a clear, routine check before driving to verify whether the vehicle is in the correct gear.
Maintaining The Correct Posture While Driving A 15-Passenger Van
It is essential that drivers of 15-passenger vans maintain the correct posture while driving. Good driving posture can improve the driver’s ability to see their surroundings and allow the driver to maneuver the vehicle in the event of an emergency. Drivers should not grip the steering wheel tightly but keep a firm hold on it. Also, drivers should keep both hands on the steering wheel unless using a turning signal or manipulating some other mechanism related to the operation of the 15-passenger van.
Moving A 15-Passenger Van From A Parking Space
If a driver parks a 15-passenger van, they need to know how to effectively back out of the parking position. Drivers should check the rearview mirror and side-view mirrors for other automobiles and people. Before entering any traffic lanes, drivers should use the proper turn signal and alert other drivers. It is also important that drivers of 15-passenger vans not change lanes unnecessarily. If drivers focus on maintaining their lane and driving at a constant speed, they can reduce the likelihood of serious bodily injury and death.
Staying Within One Traffic Lane
Drivers who are responsible for many passengers must remember that many accidents occur when vehicles change lanes. If you are constantly changing lanes as the driver of a 15-passenger van, the risk of an accident increases. However, staying in one traffic lane can be difficult for drivers who are unaccustomed to driving 15-passenger vans. Anytime you are driving on a highway or street, you are in a traffic lane.
If a traffic lane is not clearly marked, remain vigilant while operating a 15-passenger van and never veer too far to one side. If you are having difficulty maintaining your lane, reduce your speed and look for a clearly marked dividing line separating the traffic lanes.
Performing Safe And Effective Turns
Drivers must perform safe turns while they are driving 15-passenger vans. If a driver suddenly makes a turn without preparing in advance, the likelihood of an accident increases. Being alert, focused, and observant can help drivers prevent serious bodily injury and death. A driver should use their side view and rearview mirrors before moving the van into another lane. Also, drivers should use their turn signals approximately 100 feet before making a turn.
Drivers should not turn off their turn signal prior to making the turn. Both pedestrians and other drivers are alerted to moving vehicles by the use of turn signals. It is important that drivers of 15-passenger vans remember that the effective and proper use of turn signals can prevent pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians also have the right-of-way over other automobiles, and drivers of 15-passenger vans should remember to drive in a manner that takes into account pedestrians using sidewalks and other passageways. Drivers can reduce the likelihood of injury to passengers by slowing down before making a turn. Aside from that, drivers can check whether there are other cars entering the lane they are about to enter. Drivers of 15-passenger vans should exercise maximum caution to avoid side collisions, as these accidents present a significant risk of severe injury or fatality due to the vehicle’s structural characteristics.
Drivers should switch off the turn signal after performing a lane change. Some drivers may prefer to use arm signals and hand signals during the daytime hours, but these should only be used in addition to the typical turn signals.
Safety Tips When Driving A 15-Passenger Van Around Motorcyclists
Motorcycles and motorcyclists are becoming more prevalent on streets and highways throughout the United States. With the rising costs of gasoline, some drivers are trading in their cars and trucks for motorcycles to save on fuel bills. Many of these new motorcyclists may not have extensive motorcycling experience in specific weather conditions or in heavy traffic. Drivers of 15-passenger vans must focus on being vigilant and watching out for motorcyclists on the road.
Motorcyclists may not be easily perceived from a driver’s vantage point in a 15-passenger van. Drivers may see motorcyclists but misjudge how far away they are and how fast they are traveling. Most traffic accidents involving motorcycles occur when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcyclist. The best thing drivers of 15-passenger vans can do is to look twice and make sure they correctly determine the speed of a motorcycle before making a left turn.
Van drivers should also not follow a motorcycle too closely. If a larger vehicle follows a motorcycle too closely, the motorcyclist may become distracted and cause a traffic accident. Drivers should also allow for additional room during inclement weather and during the evenings. Experienced motorcyclists will slow down during rainstorms and late at night when vision is reduced. Also, motorcycles may be less visible during the evening. Drivers should be particularly vigilant when rainstorms occur at night, as these conditions can completely obscure a motorcyclist traveling down the road.
Safety Tips When Driving A 15-Passenger Van Around Bicyclists
Some bicyclists may be less vigilant than motorcyclists, but all drivers of 15-passenger vans need to make sure that they watch out for bicyclists. Younger cyclists may not understand their responsibilities when they are traveling close to busy roads or highways. Adult bicyclists need to be aware of the laws regulating traffic and focus on making sure that they adhere to these rules.
Bicyclists need to travel as close as possible to the right edge or curb of a street or road. However, the following circumstances are exceptions to this general rule:
- All bicyclists younger than sixteen years of age must wear protective helmets when traveling on public roads and in public parks.
- Bicyclists must alert others through the use of turn signals when making turns, changing lanes, and making stops.
- It is permissible for two bicyclists to travel side-by-side unless doing so will interfere with other drivers using the same road.
- Bicyclists can also pass other vehicles as long as an adequate turn signal is used.
Some specific bicycle models may not have reflecting lights or LED lights affixed to them. Bicyclists who travel at night or in poor weather conditions are particularly vulnerable to suffering injuries during an accident. Drivers of 15-passenger vans need to be aware of the possibility that bicyclists may be traveling on the roads. By remaining vigilant and aware of these bicyclists, drivers of 15-passenger vans can reduce the likelihood of accidents that cause serious bodily injury or death.
Drivers of 15-passenger vans must also be careful when they are passing bicycles traveling down the road. Adequate space between the driver and the bicycle can help reduce the likelihood of a traffic accident. A large vehicle can create wind currents if it is traveling at a sufficient speed. It is, therefore, extremely important for drivers of 15-passenger vans to focus on being safe around bicyclists. Reducing their speed and providing the bicyclist with ample room can help prevent traffic accidents from occurring.
Safety Tips When Driving A 15-Passenger Van Around Pedestrians
Drivers of 15-passenger vans also need to be aware of pedestrians walking near streets and roadways. Some drivers of 15-passenger vans may be unable to see pedestrians walking down the roadway. It is incredibly important that drivers of 15-passenger vans maintain eye contact with the road ahead of them so they can see any pedestrians who may be walking on the side of the road.
Pedestrians also may not be aware of their surroundings, so a driver of a 15-passenger van needs to be able to change lanes or move away from the immediate vicinity of the pedestrian. Drivers of 15-passenger vans should prioritize maintaining a safe distance from pedestrians who may be impaired or in distress. Many drivers of 15-passenger vans can avoid accidents involving pedestrians by remaining focused on the road in front of them and not getting distracted by others.
Contact Arash Law’s Accident Lawyers To Schedule A Free Initial Consultation
The personal injury lawyers at Arash Law have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases, including car accidents, rideshare collisions, and dog bites. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here.
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