Risk vs. Budget 15-Passenger Vans

David MoeModule 2 Challenge

COED 6150_100209-27-2014

Introduction

• Team travel• St. Michael University (SMU)•15-passenger vans•Vans used for trips 3 hours and under•Cost effective

Explanation of Risk

• From 1982 through 2008, there have been 724 fatal rollovers of 15-passenger vans •1,153 people have been killed•An additional 1,957 injured•13% chance of losing your life in a rollover•75.6% of the occupants killed in fatal single

vehicle crashes were not restrained

The Facts

•Common rules of the road•1/3 of fatal accidents involving vans were rollover•1,512 fatal accidents with 15-passenger vehicles

between 1994 and 2004, 515 involved rollovers• Three times more likely to rollover when loaded

with more than 10 passengers

The Facts

•Difficult to control• Fewer than 10 passengers: 12.7% may rollover•10+ passengers: 35.4% may rollover•16+ passengers: 70% may rollover

Current Policy

•3 step policy• Identification of license•Request use of vehicle• Lack of direction

Current Procedure

•10 question written test•12 players and 2 coaches in a 15-passenger van•Raised center of gravity•Unsafe driving conditions

Potential Risks

•90% of rollovers occur after a driver has lost control of the vehicle• The van goes off a rural road• The driver is fatigued • The driver overcorrects the steering as a panic

reaction

Potential Risks

•A coach’s schedule•Driver fatigue accounts for 30% of road crashes•Consequences of accidents attributed to driver

fatigue are often the most serious in terms of death• Fatigue increases risk of crash

New Policy

•New 11 Step Policy•More responsibility on the driver•No more than 10 when traveling off campus•No luggage on roof•No pull behind trailer•Proper amount of sleep

New Procedure

•6 hours of class time•An exhaustive written test•A physical driving test•A team driver•Faculty/staff, parent, friend, etc.

New Procedure: Costs

•Cost of travel•$.30 per mile traveled•2 vans to safely transport team•Hotel rooms to stay overnight (if coach drives)• Is saving a few dollars worth risking lives?

Additional Responsibilities

• Check tire pressure• Ensure restraints are utilized• 74% had significantly mis-inflated tires• 61% of the occupants killed were ejected from the van • Proper restraining greatly reduces the chances of ejection• The rate of ejection for unrestrained occupants is 72% • The rate of ejection for restrained occupants is 18%

Conclusion

• Buses vs 15-passenger vans• One passenger fatality for every 500 million miles traveled

by buses in the United States• Eight times less likely to be injured or killed in a properly

equipped bus than in an average passenger vehicle• “The more people die, the more people get the picture”

References

• Anderson, B. (2007, May). 5 Myths about Buses and Vans. Retrieved from http://inventory.midwesttransit.com/5-myths-about-buses-and-vans/

• DOT (2004, May). Analysis of Crashes Involving 15-Passenger Vans. Retrieved from http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809735.pdf

• Guide One Insurance, (2012, October 23). Guide One Center for Risk Management Fact Sheet: 15-Passenger Vans Pose Safety Risk. Retrieved from https://www.guideone.com/safetyresources/Shared/fs_15passenger02.pdf

• Lazarus, J., Phillip, (2003). Special Safety Concerns for Those Using 15-Passenger Vans. Retrieved from https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/newsletter.cfm?newsletter_id=34

• Mayville State University, (2012, August 2). Mayville State University Policy Manual. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/david.moe/Downloads/University_Policy_Manual.pdf

• NHTSA, (n.d.). Reducing the Risk of Rollover Crashers in 15-Passenger Vans Retrieved from http://www.mississippi.edu/rm/downloads/safety_resources/rollover_vans.pdf

• Ohio University, (2010, October 7). 15 15 Passenger Van Policy. Retrieved from http://www.ohio.edu/transportation/15van-policies.cfm

• Parker,. & Waichman. (2010). 15 Passenger Vans Accidents. Retrieved from http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/15-passenger-van-rollover-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit

• Pearson, K., & Muckenfuss, M., (2010, August 15) “Many factors affect safety of team travel,” The Press Enterprise. Retrieved From http://www.pe.com/articles/vans-616224-passenger-bus.html?page=1

• Tucker, A. (2013, July 31). Driver Fatigue: Symptoms, Cause and Effects. Retrieved from http://www.optalert.com/news/driver-fatigue-symptoms-cause-and-effects