SAFETY INFORMATION FOR 15-PASSENGER VANS

None — The following information has been provided by the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program: N.C. GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM URGES 15-PASSENGER VAN SAFETY OVER THE HOLIDAYS   As holiday travel increases over the next few weeks, the Governor's Highway Safety Program and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are urging users of 15-passenger vans to take proper precautions to ensure a safe trip.   "Recent crashes involving 15-passenger vans in New York and Georgia that resulted in 10 tragic deaths, remind us how important it is to ensure these vehicles are properly equipped and maintained," said David Weinstein, director of GHSP. "In both cases, the vans rolled over and had inappropriate tires. NHTSA's research shows that tires on these type vans are often under inflated and in use past their service life."   Users of 15-passenger vans need to make sure the vehicles have appropriately-sized tires that are properly inflated before every trip. Tires degrade over time; for this reason, NHTSA recommends that spare tires not be used as replacements for worn tires. In fact, many tire manufacturers recommend that tires older than 10 years not be used at all.   This serves as a reminder to church groups, non-profit organizations and colleges that may be keeping older 15-passenger vans in service longer than usual because of transportation budgets.   Pre-primary, primary and secondary schools should not use 15-passenger vans for transporting school children, as they do not provide the same level of safety as school buses. It is also against federal law for schools to buy new 15-passenger vans for school transportation purposes.   Here are some safety tips for anyone planning a trip in a 15-passenger van: •       If you are an owner, make sure the vehicle is properly maintained; •       Owners should make sure drivers are fully trained and experienced in operating a 15-passenger van and are properly licensed; •       15-passenger vans are very sensitive to loading and should not be overloaded under any circumstances; •       Owners should make sure that properly sized tires are being used on their vehicles; and •       Before every trip, drivers should check the tires for proper inflation and make sure there are no signs of wear.  Correct tire size and inflation pressure information can be found in the owner's manual. •       If you are a passenger, make sure you buckle up for every trip.

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