Characteristics of Drivers Involved in Fifteen-Passenger van Rollover Accidents

Abstract

Fifteen-passenger vans, which make up about 0.25 percent of the passenger vehicle fleet in the United States, are frequently used to transport school sports teams, van pools, church groups, and other groups. Although they are involved in a proportionate number of fatal accidents compared to their percentage in the fleet, they are involved in a higher number of single-vehicle accidents involving rollovers than are other passenger vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to identify the association of driver characteristics with van rollover. Results indicate that driver sex and driver-related factors (failure to keep in proper lane, driving too fast for conditions, and over correcting) are related to van rollover. Driver training and experience as well as technology have potential to prevent 15-passenger van rollover accidents.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Garrott

W.R.

Rhea

Subramanian

Heydinger

G.J.

(2001). The rollover propensity of fifteen-passenger vans. Research Note (Washington, DC:NHTSA).

Klein

T.M.

(1992). A statistical analysis of vehicle rollover propensity, SAE Technical Paper 920584 (Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers).

National Transportation Safety Board. (2002). Evaluation of the rollover propensity of 15-passenger vans. (NTSB/SR-02/03). Washington, DC.

U.S. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2001). Traffic safety facts speeding (DOT HS 809 480) Washington, DC.

U.S. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2002). 15-passenger vans involved in fatal crashes: Statistical fact sheet. Washington, DC.

U.S. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2002). Characteristics of fatal rollover crashes. (DOT HS 809 438) Washington, DC.