Long-Distance Vans Must Follow Bus Rules

The government has taken a step toward improving the safety record of 15-passenger vans, which have a significant roll-over risk.

From now on, companies that carry passengers for long distances in such vans must comply with the same safety regulations as buses. For example, the van will be subject to periodic inspections and must have seat belts.

A Transportation Department spokesman said hotel and airport shuttles generally won't be included in the ruling, nor will church vans, since their primary business isn't carrying passengers for money.

The spokesman said companies that take passengers between U.S. cities and Mexico are among the targets of the ruling.

Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board urged van makers to add lap-and-shoulder belts to the vans and strengthen their roofs.

(courtesy of Jeeve's)

15-passenger vans are used by churches, daycare and eldercare centers, schools, universities, and airport shuttle services -- yet they are extremely hazardous vehicles. Originally manufactured as cargo vans, automakers never redesigned these vehicles to safely transport people. When five or more passengers are riding in these vans, the likelihood of rollover increases dramatically. Because the rear of these vans extend 4 to 51/2 feet beyond the rear wheels, any loading of five or more people or luggage/equipment causes instability during emergency maneuvers such as sudden turns to avoid a pedestrian or vehicle. This causes the vans to fishtail, and because they are top heavy and overloaded in the rear, they are prone to roll over and result in devastating crashes.

But the good news is: there is a fix. Adding dual wheels (an additional wheel on either side) to the rear of these vans has been shown in testing to increase the vans' stability and improve handling in turns and in emergencies. A retrofit by the manufacturers of the 500,000 vehicles on the highway would cost $300-400 per vehicle, or about $135 in mass production for new vehicles. A long-term solution is also essential -- the vans must be redesigned to protect passengers in rollover and side impact crashes, and to comply with school bus and other federal safety standards from which they are now exempt. 15-passenger vans are used by churches, daycare and eldercare centers, schools, universities, and airport shuttle services -- yet they are extremely hazardous vehicles. Originally manufactured as cargo vans, automakers never redesigned these vehicles to safely transport people. When five or more passengers are riding in these vans, the likelihood of rollover increases dramatically. Because the rear of these vans extend 4 to 51/2 feet beyond the rear wheels, any loading of five or more people or luggage/equipment causes instability during emergency maneuvers such as sudden turns to avoid a pedestrian or vehicle. This causes the vans to fishtail, and because they are top heavy and overloaded in the rear, they are prone to roll over and result in devastating crashes. But the good news is: there is a fix. Adding dual wheels (an additional wheel on either side) to the rear of these vans has been shown in testing to increase the vans' stability and improve handling in turns and in emergencies. A retrofit by the manufacturers of the 500,000 vehicles on the highway would cost $300-400 per vehicle, or about $135 in mass production for new vehicles. A long-term solution is also essential -- the vans must be redesigned to protect passengers in rollover and side impact crashes, and to comply with school bus and other federal safety standards from which they are now exempt.

How could adding dually wheels possibly only cost $300-$400?

The differential housing has to be shortened or replaced among other things and the fender cutout needs to be changed (usually). Rear leaf springs would be changed in most cases.

WRONG THE HOUSING ARE NOT SHORTEN. WHEEL RIMS DESIGNED ONE INSIDE THE FLANGE AND ONE OUTSIDE THE BOLT FLANGE IS HOW THEY DO IT.

A rear brake job alone on my dually costs over $400.

WELL OK. DON'T HAVE TO DO BRAKES TO ADD AND ADDITIONAL WHEEL. ZERO COST.

My neighbor uses one of these to take veterans to the VA hospital.

WHO AM I. A HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, ASE CERTIFIED.

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