15-Passenger Vans Have Greater Risk of Roll-Overs
Recent research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that the risk of a rollover crash is greatly increased when 10 or more people ride in a 15-passenger van.
This increased risk occurs because the passenger weight raises the vehicle’s center of gravity and causes it to shift rearward. As a result, the 15-passenger van has less resistance to rollover and handles differently from other commonly driven passenger vehicles [1], making it more difficult to control in an emergency situation. Placing any load on the roof also raises the center of gravity and increases the likelihood of a rollover.
A rollover crash is a complex event, heavily influenced by driver and road characteristics as well as the design of the vehicle. In studies of single-vehicle 15-passenger van crashes, NHTSA has found that more than 90 percent of rollovers occur after a driver has lost control of the vehicle and has run off the road. Because most rollover crashes don’t involve other vehicles, they are often preventable.
This specialized 15-passenger van program provides drivers with the basic skills to safely operate these large vans and the documentation to help clients reduce the possibility of negligent entrustment claims. The program works for all sizes of organizations, and is affordable for even the smallest church or group who operates these vans within their organization.
What is Negligent Entrustment, And How Can You Avoid It?
“Negligent entrustment” is a legal term meaning the act of an employer leaving a dangerous article (such as a vehicle) with an employee or volunteer whom the employer knows, or should know, is likely to use it in an unreasonable risky manner [2] [3]. Under a charge of negligent entrustment, as employer may be liable for the damages caused by an incompetent employee. Punitive damages may be awarded if negligent entrustment is proven. These damages are not commonly covered by your insurance policy.
Your organization is responsible for taking significant efforts [4] to ensure public safety when you authorize anyone to drive a company – owned vehicle.
Even if there are no applicable regulations, training programs should be implemented [5] to avoid charges of negligence. Best business practices may not always prevent an accident, but they show employees and others that you are serious about safety. Implementation of proactive company policies may limit your liability if an accident occurs.
This specialized 15-passenger van program provides the training documentation to help clients reduce the possibility of negligent entrustment claims.
15-Passenger Van Training Package Modules
This specialized 15-passenger van program provides drivers with the basic skills to safely operate these large vans and the documentation to help clients reduce the possibility of negligent entrustment claims. The program works for all sizes of organizations, and is affordable for even the smallest church or group who operates these vans within their organization.
Van Safety 1
This module focuses on the correct driving techniques to employ when driving a large passenger van. Key learning includes: how to properly use your seatbelt to reduce serious injury, our 5-step process for lane changing and essential tips to remember when backing up.
Van Safety 2
This module follows ‘Van Safety 1’ and focuses on correct driving techniques to employ when driving a large passenger van. Key learning includes: why large vans are prone to rollovers, how to reduce the risk of a rollover and some common distractions faced by drivers.